Dems File Discharge Petition on Gay Rights Bill

"Discharge petitions are rarely successful."

Rep. Jared Polis (Colo.) and three other Democrats filed a discharge petition Wednesday to force a House vote on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. 

The petition would need to win the backing of 218 lawmakers to force House consideration of the non-discrimination bill passed last year by the Senate. It prohibits employers from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. 

Discharge petitions are rarely successful, and the petition is likely an attempt to highlight the issue ahead of the midterm elections. A related House bill has a total of 205 co-sponsors, including eight Republicans.