Sen. Kirk gives first floor speech since stroke

Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) endorsed the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) Monday in his first floor speech since suffering a stroke last year. [WATCH VIDEO]

“I have been silent since my stroke,” Kirk said Monday in his brief remarks. “I have risen to speak because I believe so passionately in the ENDA statute.”

{mosads}Kirk had a stroke in January 2012 that required nearly a year off from the Senate to recover. His mobility and speech were affected. He asked permission to give the speech while seated.

Kirk is a co-sponsor of S. 815, which would ban workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The Senate is expected to spend the week debating the bill.