Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) on Wednesday set up the the final series of votes for the Employment Non-Discrimination Act—which prohibits employment discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity—culminating in a vote final passage on Thursday afternoon if the bill passes a key, 60-vote threshold procedural test in the morning. Senate passage of ENDA seemed more and more likely Wednesday after the Senate unanimously accepted an amendment by Sens. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) protecting religious groups exempted under the legislation from government retaliation. That amendment likely secured the vote of several other Republicans pushing for that language, including Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.).

The Senate could make history today by passing the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). When the bill reached the 60 vote threshold for debate to begin on Monday, it cleared the way for today's action Another religious group exemption amendment is likely to be offered by Sen. Pat Toomey (R-PA), that would increase the number of groups that could receive the exemption, but it would require a 60-vote threshold, so probably won't pass. The Senate does have to pass one more cloture vote to end debate and move forward to final passage, but that vote should be assured.