Labor & Employment (Employment Discrimination) in United States

in committee · United States · House Sep 2, 2026

HR 10239: Equal Pay for Equal Work Act

The Equal Pay for Equal Work Act establishes a new National Equal Pay Enforcement Task Force composed of representatives from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Department of Justice, the Department of Labor, and the Office of Personnel Management. The task force is charged with coordinating these agencies to close gaps in enforcement and improve public education regarding equal pay laws. Its specific duties include investigating challenges related to pay inequity, advancing recommendations to address those issues, and creating action plans to implement the proposed solutions.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Employment Discrimination Labor Standards

in committee · United States · House Aug 6, 2026

HR 10035: Protecting Independent Contractors from Discrimination Act of 2026

This bill, titled the Protecting Independent Contractors from Discrimination Act of 2026, aims to extend federal anti-discrimination protections to individuals who work under independent contracts. It directly affects independent contractors by legally classifying them as employees under several major federal laws, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act. The key mechanism involves amending the definitions of "employee" or "applicant for employment" within these existing statutes to explicitly include independent contractors. Consequently, independent contractors would gain the same legal recourse against discrimination based on race, age, disability, genetic information, and other protected categories as traditional employees.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Employment Discrimination Gig Economy

in committee · United States · House Jul 21, 2026

HCONRES 114: Recognizing the significance of equal pay and the disparity in wages paid to men and to Black women.

This concurrent resolution formally recognizes the persistent wage gap between Black women and white, non-Hispanic men in the United States. It highlights data showing that Black women earn significantly less than their male counterparts and reaffirms Congress's support for existing laws that prohibit pay discrimination based on sex or race. The document does not create new laws or change policy but serves as a symbolic statement to raise awareness about the economic disparities faced by Black women.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Employment Discrimination

in committee · United States · Senate Jul 21, 2026

SCONRES 36: A concurrent resolution recognizing the significance of equal pay and the disparity in wages paid to men and to Black women.

This concurrent resolution formally recognizes the significant wage gap between Black women and white, non-Hispanic men in the United States. The document cites data showing that Black women earn roughly 65 cents for every dollar earned by white men and highlights how this disparity impacts their ability to support families and accumulate wealth. By referencing existing laws like the Equal Pay Act and the Civil Rights Act, the bill reaffirms Congress's support for equal pay for equal work without proposing new legislation or policy changes. Ultimately, the measure serves as a symbolic acknowledgment of the economic challenges faced by Black women due to dual discrimination based on race and gender.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Employment Discrimination

in committee · United States · House Jun 11, 2026

HRES 1357: Acknowledging and apologizing for the mistreatment of, and discrimination against, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals who served the United States in the uniformed services, the Foreign Service, and the Federal civil service and committing to the pursuit of equal rights, protections, and respect for all LGBT servicemembers and Federal civil servants.

This resolution acknowledges and apologizes on behalf of the United States for the decades of discrimination and wrongful termination faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals who served in the military, Foreign Service, and federal civil service. It condemns historical policies that excluded or fired these individuals based on their sexual orientation or gender identity while reaffirming a commitment to treat all federal employees and veterans with equal respect and fairness. The bill functions as a formal statement of regret and does not create any legal claims, financial settlements, or new laws.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Employment Discrimination Public Employees Memorials & Recognition

in committee · United States · House Jun 8, 2026

HR 9198: National Commission to Combat Workplace Sexual Harassment Act

The National Commission to Combat Workplace Sexual Harassment Act establishes a temporary commission to investigate and study workplace sexual harassment, sexual assault, and other misconduct across various industries. This independent body will gather testimony from workers, experts, and advocates to analyze causes, reporting mechanisms, and the effectiveness of current laws, with a specific focus on how factors like race, gender identity, and gig economy work affect vulnerability. Composed of eleven appointed members who serve without pay, the commission is required to submit a comprehensive report with recommendations to the President and Congress within 18 months and hold a public hearing on those findings. The commission will have access to federal resources and staff support but will cease to exist 60 days after submitting its final report.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Employment Discrimination Gig Economy

in committee · United States · Senate Jun 8, 2026

S 4706: Equal Remedies Act of 2026

The Equal Remedies Act of 2026 expands the types of damages available to individuals who file discrimination lawsuits. It allows victims of race discrimination to receive compensation for both financial losses and non-financial harms like emotional pain and loss of enjoyment of life. The bill also permits any party in a race discrimination case to request a jury trial. Additionally, the law extends these expanded remedies to age discrimination cases, enabling plaintiffs to seek the same broad range of relief available in sex and race discrimination suits. These changes apply to individuals bringing claims under federal civil rights laws and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Employment Discrimination

in committee · United States · Senate Jun 11, 2026

SRES 766: A resolution acknowledging and apologizing for the mistreatment of, and discrimination against, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals who served the United States in the uniformed services, the Foreign Service, and the Federal civil service and committing to the pursuit of equal rights, protections, and respect for all LGBT servicemembers and Federal civil servants.

This Senate resolution formally acknowledges and apologizes for the decades of discrimination and wrongful termination faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals who served in the U.S. military, Foreign Service, and federal civil service. The measure highlights historical policies, such as the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" rule and the "Lavender Scare," which forced hundreds of thousands of service members to leave their jobs or hide their identities, while also noting recent executive actions that have rescinded protections for gender identity. While the resolution reaffirms a commitment to equal rights and respect for all LGBT government employees, it explicitly states that it does not create any legal claims or settlements for affected individuals.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Employment Discrimination Public Employees

in committee · United States · House Jun 3, 2026

HR 9116: Equal Remedies Act of 2026

The Equal Remedies Act of 2026 expands the types of damages available to individuals who file discrimination lawsuits under federal employment laws. Specifically, it allows victims of race discrimination to receive compensation for non-financial harms, such as emotional pain and loss of enjoyment of life, and permits any party in such cases to request a jury trial. Additionally, the bill extends these expanded remedies to age discrimination claims, enabling affected workers to seek the same legal and equitable relief available in sex and race discrimination cases. These changes directly impact employees and employers by altering the potential financial and procedural outcomes of discrimination lawsuits.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Employment Discrimination

in committee · United States · House May 4, 2026

HR 8663: Fair Pay Act of 2026

The Fair Pay Act of 2026 amends the Fair Labor Standards Act to prohibit employers from paying different wages to employees performing equivalent jobs based on sex, race, or national origin. This law specifically targets pay gaps that arise when jobs are segregated by these characteristics, requiring that roles with similar skills, effort, responsibility, and working conditions receive equal pay regardless of the employee's demographic group. While the bill allows for wage differences based on seniority, merit, production quantity, or bona fide factors like education and experience, it places a heavy burden on employers to prove these factors are job-related and not a result of discrimination. To enforce these rules, the legislation mandates that employers maintain detailed records of their wage-setting methods and submit annual reports to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, while also expanding legal remedies to include compensatory and punitive damages for violations.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Employment Discrimination Labor Standards

All labor & employment bills