Joe Sestak on Civil Rights Democrat

Equal LGBT rights

Highlights of Joe Sestak's legislative efforts to support the LGBT community: Co-sponsor of the Domestic Partnership Benefits Obligations Act. Source: Campaign website, www.joesestak.com, "Issues" Dec 25, 2009

Create new contract opportunities for MWOB small businesses

• Original CO-SPONSOR AND VOTED FOR THE PAYCHECK FAIRNESS ACT: Places the burden of proof on employers when gender pay disparity exists, and protects employee whistleblowers.
• ORIGINAL CO-SPONSOR AND VOTED FOR THE LILLY LEDBETTER FAIR PAY ACT: Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to increase the statute of limitations for gender pay discrimination.
• VOTED FOR SBA WOMEN'S BUSINESS PROGRAMS ACT
• INTRODUCED SMALL BUSINESS ENTREPRENEURIAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS ACT
• VOTED FOR SMALL BUSINESS CONTRACTING PROGRAM IMPROVEMENTS ACT: Would have added changes to the Small Business Administration's federal contracting programs that would open up new opportunities for small businesses, including women, veteran and minority-owned firms.
• INTRODUCED SBA TRADE PROGRAMS ACT: Helps entrepreneurs overcome dislocations due to global trends through outreach centers, including Women's Business Centers.
Source: Campaign website, www.joesestak.com, "Issues" Dec 25, 2009

Voted YES on prohibiting job discrimination based on sexual orientation.

HR3685: Employment Non-Discrimination Act: Makes it an unlawful employment practice to discriminate against an individual on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation, including actions based on the actual or perceived sexual orientation of a person with whom the individual associates or has associated. Prohibits preferential treatment or quotas. Allows only disparate treatment claims. Inapplicable to associations that are exempt from religious discrimination provisions.

Proponents support voting YES because:

Rep. CASTOR: The march towards equality under the law for all of our citizens has sometimes been slow, but it has been steady. Over time, Congress has outlawed discrimination in the workplace, based upon a person's race, gender, age, national origin, religion and disability, because when it comes to employment, these decisions are rightly based upon a person's qualifications and job performance. This legislation that outlaws job discrimination based upon sexual orientation was first introduced over 30 years ago. A broad coalition of businesses and community organizations strongly support this landmark civil rights legislation, including the Human Rights Campaign; the Anti-Defamation League; and the NAACP.

Opponents recommend voting NO because:

Rep. HASTINGS: Federal law bans job discrimination based on race, color, national origin, or gender. In addition, 19 States have passed laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. I strongly oppose discrimination in the workplace. However, I do not think it is the place of the Federal Government to legislate how each and every workplace operates. A number of States have enacted State laws in this area. That is their right. Many businesses have chosen to adopt their own policies. That is appropriate as well. This bill as written would expand Federal law into a realm where PERCEPTION would be a measure under discrimination law [which I consider inappropriate].

Reference: Employment Non-Discrimination Act; Bill HR3685 ; vote number 2007-1057 on Nov 13, 2007

Honor the 100th anniversary of the NAACP.

Sestak signed bill honoring the 100th anniversary of the NAACP
• Whereas the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, NAACP, originally known as the National Negro Committee, was founded in New York City on February 12, 1909, the centennial of Abraham Lincoln's birth, by a multiracial group of activists who met in a national conference to discuss the civil and political rights of African-Americans;
• Whereas the NAACP is the oldest and largest civil rights organization in the United States;
• Whereas the mission of the NAACP is to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination;
• Whereas the NAACP is committed to achieving its goals through nonviolence;
• Whereas the NAACP advances its mission through reliance upon the press, the petition, the ballot, and the courts, and has been persistent in the use of legal and moral persuasion, even in the face of overt and violent racial hostility;
• Whereas the NAACP has used political pressure, marches, demonstrations, and effective lobbying to serve as the voice, as well as the shield, for minority Americans;
Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Congress
1. Recognizes the 100th anniversary of the historic founding of the NAACP.
2. Honors and praises the NAACP on the occasion of its anniversary for its work to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of all persons.
Source: SCR.3&HCR.35 2009-SCR3 on Jan 28, 2009

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