GOP Rep. Chris Gibson Backs Attaching ENDA to Defense Bill

A Republican cosponsor of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act publicly endorsed a strategy Saturday that would attach the piece of LGBT-rights legislation as an amendment to a broader defense bill.

The chief of staff for Rep. Chris Gibson (R-N.Y.) told Metro Weekly he supports adding ENDA, which would prohibit most employers from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity, as an amendment to the defense authorization bill following November's midterm election.

"He thinks this is something we need to get done this congress," said Stephanie Valle, Gibson's chief of staff. "He's hoping the lame duck provides an opportunity to do that."

ENDA was approved by the Senate last November but has seen no movement in the House of Representatives due to opposition by Republican leadership. Gibson is one of eight Republican cosponsors of the bill in the House. Supporters of ENDA have said attaching the bill as an amendment to a broader piece of legislation, such as the defense authorization bill, is likely the bill's only hope of seeing movement this congress.

According to a source on Capitol Hill, Gibson has been gauging support among other Republican backers of ENDA to adding the legislation to the defense authorization bill. Rep. Charlie Dent (R-Penn.) has also expressed support for attaching ENDA to the defense authorization bill.

Gibson sits on the House Armed Services Committee, which plays a key role in the drafting of the defense authorization bill.

"Congressman Gibson has consistently argued to use every possible opportunity to make ENDA law as soon as possible," said Christian Berle of Freedom to Work. "And as a member of the Armed Services Committee he's going to be in a key position to advocate for ENDA's inclusion in what will most likely be the only moving piece of legislation this year."

Meanwhile, House Democrats are attempting to force a vote on ENDA through the use of a discharge petition. Filed last month, the petition must garner 218 signatures in order to bypass Republican leadership and bring a vote on the bill. The petition currently has 190 signatories. No Republicans have signed the petition, which would also narrow ENDA's religious exemption - a provision of the bill that has been critical to securing GOP support.

"He's advocating as a cosponsor of the bill to bring on more supporters and talking to colleagues who haven't signed on," Valle said, adding Gibson is focused on how to bring ENDA to the House floor in the lame duck session.

Gibson is running for reelection against Democrat Sean Eldridge, the husband of Facebook cofounder Chris Hughes.