A pivotal senator on employment issues predicted congressional approval in 2010 of legislation that would ban workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation.

Although health care is dominating this year’s legislative calendar, Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, promised an Obama administration official at a hearing this month that the Employment Non-Discrimination Act would get to President Barack Obama’s desk.

“We’re going to move this bill next year,” Harkin said to Tom Perez, assistant attorney general for civil rights. “I’ll see you at the bill signing.”

The measure would prohibit basing hiring, firing, promotion and compensation decisions on actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.

Supporters assert that a federal bill is required because only 29 states have laws protecting gays and lesbians at a business operation.

The private sector is given generally high marks for recruiting and promoting people of all sexual orientations. Some in the business community, however, have raised concerns about the details of gender identity compliance.

Prospects for the bill’s passage are good because the Senate measure has 42 bipartisan co-sponsors -- enough to overcome a filibuster.

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