For the first time, the U.S. Senate approved legislation that would protect gay, lesbian and transgender employees from discrimination in the workplace. The Employment Nondiscrimination Act, or ENDA, passed the Democratic-led chamber on Thursday, 64 to 32. Ten Republicans joined 52 Democrats and two Independents in supporting the bill. Four Senators did not vote. Arizona Sens. John McCain and Jeff Flake became the latest GOP members to support the measure. They joined Sens. Dean Heller of Nevada, Orrin Hatch of Utah, Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Rob Portman of Ohio, Susan Collins of Maine, Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania, and the bill's co-sponsor, Mark Kirk of Illinois.
@highlight
Bill would protect gay, lesbian and transgender employees from workplace discrimination
@highlight
It's the first time the Senate has passed LGBT worker protections
@highlight
House opposition strong, so chances of it becoming law are slim
@highlight
Ten Republicans vote for the bill in the Senate
The two lawmakers lobbied colleagues, leading to Thursday's @placeholder vote.