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U.S. Reps. Justin Amash and Bill Huizenga

(MLive.com File Photo)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Justin Amash is signaling support for the premise of Senate legislation passed this week that would bar discrimination against gays in the workplace, but remained noncommittal about whether he would vote for such a bill.

A spokesman for Amash, R-Cascade Township, said in an email after Thursday's Senate vote that the congressman opposes workplace discrimination against gays, but will give the Employment Non-Discrimination Act "serious consideration when it comes before the House."

For his part, Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Zeeland, said in a statement to MLive Grand Rapids Press he would not comment on a bill he had not read.

Although the congressman understands the "general concept" of ENDA, Huizenga "cannot comment on legislative text we have not seen," spokesman Brian Patrick said in an email.

The U.S. Senate on Thursday passed ENDA in a bipartisan 64-32 vote. Ten Senate Republicans joined 52 Democrats in support of the bill, notably former 2008 presidential candidate John McCain.

If law, ENDA would bar employers from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. The legislation has been praised by the LGBT community and President Barack Obama, who said he'd rather see congressional legislation on the issue than an executive order from his office.

The legislation now awaits consideration in the House. However, Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, reportedly said he has no plans to bring the bill for a vote and opposes the measure.

This is not the first time Amash has signaled support for the more libertarian aspect on a social issue.

During an ACLU discussion on gay marriage in March, Amash responded to a question about gay marriage by saying marriage is a personal, religious matter, but that the government should not define marriage.

A spokesman later declined to say explicitly whether Amash supported gay marriage, saying the comment spoke for itself.

ENDA opponents argue the law will violate free speech and religious liberty by requiring businesses who have an objection to LGBT people to not discriminate against them, according to CNN.

Some Republican lawmakers reportedly object and worry the law is written too broadly, providing a risk for employers who could be sued just for perceiving to be discriminating against LGBT workers.

Michigan law does not prohibit private employers from firing someone for being gay.

Andrew Krietz covers breaking and general police/fire news for MLive | The Grand Rapids Press. Email him at akrietz@mlive.com or follow him on Twitter.