Brooklyn, N.Y. – Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke released the following statement of support for the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, which will provide workplace protection for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Americans.

Congresswoman Clarke, with one-hundred forty-eight colleagues in the House of Representatives and forty-eight members of the Senate, signed a letter asking President Obama to issue an executive order that will prohibit discrimination in agencies of the federal government. Congress has the authority to apply this law to private companies and organization, but Republican leaders have refused to allow a vote on the issue.

“We cannot allow agencies of the federal government to commit acts of discrimination toward people based on their gender or their sexuality,” said Congresswoman Clarke. “I urge that President Obama listen to Congress and the people and issue an executive order that will finally provide protection from workplace discrimination. Legislation on this issue has been delayed – after years of delay, we cannot simply say ‘later’ or ‘after the next election.’ We should prohibit employment discrimination now.”

As a member of the New York City Council and the House of Representatives, Congresswoman Clarke has been a supporter of rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Americans. She co-sponsored legislation that prohibits funding for school programs that are insensitive to LGBT youths as well as legislation that would establish LGBT Pride Month in June.

U.S. Representative Yvette D. Clarke is a member of the House Committee on Small Business, Ethics, and Homeland Security, where she is the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Security Technologies. She represents many neighborhoods in central and southern Brooklyn, NY which include Brownsville, Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Flatbush, Gerritsen Beach, Madison, Midwood, parts of Park Slope and Flatlands, Prospect Heights, Prospect-Lefferts Gardens, Sheepshead Bay, and Windsor Terrace.