Being heard on the Hill.

The Bush administration is expected to oppose federal gay rights legislation. But congressional support for the Employment Non-Discrimination Act has never been stronger, setting the stage for a political battle. The Senate Democratic leadership introduced its civil rights package January 24, and for the first time the list of legislative priorities included both the Employment Non-Discrimination Act as well as the Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act, a bill intended to combat hate crimes, including those based on sexual orientation.

"We will now shift our attention to lining up support on both sides of the aisle so we can pass this legislation that is supported by the vast majority of Americans," said Winnie Stachelberg, political director of the Human Rights Campaign, a national gay lobby group.

HRC counts a narrow majority in the House and Senate in support of ENDA as well as the Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act. "The problem is that the Republican majority in the House continues to bottle up the bills," said David Smith, HRC's director of communications. "We also expect to make our case to the White House."