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HOUSE 2062117th CongressReceived in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act of 2021

Last Action
6/24/2021

Actions

  • 2021-06-24Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
  • 2021-06-23Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  • 2021-06-23On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 247 - 178 (Roll no. 180).
  • 2021-06-23Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 247 - 178 (Roll no. 180).
  • 2021-06-23The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
  • 2021-06-23Motion to reconsider laid on the table. Agreed to without objection.
  • 2021-06-23Motion to reconsider laid on the table. Agreed to without objection.
  • 2021-06-23UNFINISHED BUSINESS - The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on the Scott amendment en bloc No. 1 which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
  • 2021-06-23DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res 486, the House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Davis (IL) amendment.
  • 2021-06-23POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Scott (VA) amendment en bloc No. 2, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mrs. Foxx demanded the yeas and nays an d the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
  • 2021-06-23DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res 486, the House proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the Scott (VA) amendment en bloc No. 2.
  • 2021-06-23POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Scott (VA) amendment en bloc No. 1, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mrs. Foxx demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
  • 2021-06-23DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res 486, the House proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the Scott (VA) amendment en bloc No. 1.
  • 2021-06-23DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 2062.
  • 2021-06-23The resolution provides for 1 hour of debate, orders the previous question, and allows a motion to recommit for each measure. Provides that H. Res. 485 is adopted. Provides that anytime through the legislative day of June 25, 2021, the Speaker may entertain motions offered by the Majority Leader or his designee that the House suspend the rules with respect to multiple measures that were the object of motions to suspend the rules on the legislative days of June 22 or 23, and on which the yeas and nays were ordered and further proceedings postponed.

Showing 15 of 20 actions. Full history on Congress.gov.

CRS Summary

As of 2021-06-23 (53)

Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act of 2021

This bill revises the evidentiary standard for age discrimination by establishing an unlawful employment practice when the complaining party demonstrates that age or participation in an investigation, proceeding, or litigation related to an age discrimination claim was a motivating factor for an adverse practice, even though other factors also motivated the practice (thereby allowing what are commonly known as mixed motive claims).

The bill (1) permits the complaining party to rely on any type or form of admissible evidence, which need only be sufficient for a reasonable trier of fact to find that an unlawful practice occurred; and (2) declares that the complaining party shall not be required to demonstrate that age or retaliation was the sole cause of the employment practice (thereby rejecting the Supreme Court's decision in Gross v. FBL Financial Services, Inc., which requires the complainant to prove that age was the but-for cause for the employer's decision).

The bill applies this evidentiary standard to other employment discrimination and retaliation claims, including claims under the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

In a claim in which age discrimination is shown, but where the employer demonstrates that it would have taken the same action absent the motivating factor of age, the bill authorizes courts to grant declaratory and injunctive relief, but prohibits the court from awarding damages or issuing an order requiring any admission, reinstatement, hiring, promotion, or payment. This limitation also applies to claims of discrimination based on disability.

The bill also includes reporting requirements for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Department of Labor.

Cosponsors (20)

  • Rodney Davis (R-IL)
  • Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR)
  • Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA)
  • Alma Adams (D-NC)
  • John Katko (R-NY)
  • Cynthia Axne (D-IA)
  • Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon (R-PR)
  • Marie Newman (D-IL)
  • Jefferson Van Drew (R-NJ)
  • Alan Lowenthal (D-CA)
  • Glenn Grothman (R-WI)
  • Susan Wild (D-PA)
  • Trey Hollingsworth (R-IN)
  • ELEANOR NORTON (D-DC)
  • Joseph Morelle (D-NY)
  • Sylvia Garcia (D-TX)
  • Debbie Dingell (D-MI)
  • Steve Cohen (D-TN)
  • Jahana Hayes (D-CT)
  • JANICE SCHAKOWSKY (D-IL)

Subjects

  • Age discrimination
  • Civil actions and liability
  • Congressional oversight
  • Disability and health-based discrimination
  • Employment discrimination and employee rights
  • Evidence and witnesses
  • Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
  • Government studies and investigations
  • Racial and ethnic relations
  • Sex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination
  • Women's employment
Read on Congress.gov

Sourced from Congress.gov (public domain).

This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.