WASHINGTON – Colorado’s two Democratic senators are working along two lines to end discrimination based on sexual orientation.

Sen. Mark Udall responded this week to a case involving discrimination against a military veteran in a same-sex relationship. He wrote a letter to President Barack Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder urging the treatment to stop.

Meanwhile, Sen. Michael Bennet is asking the House to pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, or ENDA, which passed the Senate 64-32 late last week.

“Everyone has a right to earn a living and provide for their families,” Bennet said. “I urge our colleagues in the House to pass this measure to ensure that, just as in Colorado, LGBT citizens are respected and treated equally in the workplace.”

It may have a rough go in the Republican-controlled House; Speaker John Boehner is among those who have come out publicly against it, saying that although he is opposed to discrimination, the law is unnecessary.

The bill makes it illegal to hire or fire anyone based solely on sexual orientation. The proposed federal law would follow a similar law in Colorado, in place since 2007.

Meanwhile, Udall took issue when one same-sex couple in Colorado was denied veterans benefits because of their sexual orientation, despite one serving 10 years in the Air Force.

Currently, the Department of Veterans Affairs does not recognize some same-sex marriages, based on the state each couple resides in.

Colorado does not currently recognize same-sex marriages, although it does allow civil unions.

Udall responded Tuesday to the case through a letter to Obama and Holder.

“There is a universal feeling in this country that service members, veterans and their families deserve respect and support during and after their service, and the kind of discriminatory treatment this law furthers is simply unacceptable,” Udall said in the letter.

Bennet said he also believes the couple, who were married outside the state of Colorado, was unfairly discriminated against.

“Senator Bennet believes that discrimination against anyone based on who they love is wrong and should not be tolerated,” Bennet spokesman Philip Clelland said. “He’s co-sponsoring and advocating for the Respect for Marriage Act, which would repeal (the Defense of Marriage Act) and extend federal marriage benefits to married same-sex couples.”

If the act passes and becomes law, the Department of Veterans Affairs would be required to recognize veterans benefits for same-sex couples regardless of the validity of their marriage within their state of residence.

Suzanne Gaber is a student at American University in Washington, D.C., and an intern for The Durango Herald. Reach her at sgaber@durangoherald.com.