Congresswoman: 5 Years “Realistic” for ENDA

Congresswoman Jackie Speier of California told theBay Area Reporter on Sunday that it was "realistic" to say it could take as long as five years to pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. The Democrat said that the bill's prospects for this year were in question, though she said, "'don't ask, don't tell' will be history this year."

During the breakfast, Speier ensured the crowd that "Speaker [Nancy] Pelosi is doing all she can to ensure a majority for next year so we can pass ENDA."

After the breakfast, she talked to the newspaper, where she said a House vote on ENDA was up in the air due to the current political climate.

"There's no question 'don't ask, don't tell' will be history this year," she said. "ENDA, we will have that law for sure within the next five years," and added that her assessment was realistic.

Local activists objected to the comments, which contradicted a promise to see ENDA passed this year made by Pelosi in a May phone call, according to the Reporter.