Washington D.C. - A Senate panel on Wednesday quickly and easily approved a first-of-its-kind anti-discrimination measure that would provide workplace protection to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.

Three Republicans on the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee voted for the bill, which supporters hope will improve its chances to pass the Senate with the 60 votes it will need. The 15-to-7 vote included a "YES" vote from our very own Sen. Lisa Murkowski voting in favor the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA).