Langevin Votes to Shield Older Workers by Reversing Conservative Court Rulings
Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act will also protect workers with disabilities
WASHINGTON – Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI) today voted in support of H.R. 2062, the Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act. Although Congress passed legislation 54 years ago to prohibit discrimination against employees on the basis of age, a recent AARP survey found that 3 in 5 workers age 45 and older had seen or experienced age discrimination in the workplace. Langevin spoke on the House floor during debate on the bipartisan bill, which passed the House by a vote of 247-178.
Nearly one in three Rhode Islanders are ages 55 and older, among the highest proportions in the country.
The standard set forth in the 2009 Supreme Court case Gross vs. FBL Financial Services Inc. eroded workplace protections for older workers. It has also been used to discriminate against workers with disabilities, breaking a key promise of the Americans with Disabilities Act and undermining Congressional intent. The bipartisan Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act will restore vital employment protections for millions of older American workers and workers with disabilities, shielding employees from future discrimination.
“No worker — no matter their age — should experience discrimination in the workplace, so I was thrilled to pass this legislation today with a resounding bipartisan majority,” said Langevin, who co-chairs the Bipartisan Disability Caucus. “The Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act will restore workplace protections that have been eroded by conservative court rulings, and I urge my Senate colleagues to take up this critical legislation without delay.”
The Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act is supported by AARP, NAACP, National Urban League, Leadership Council of Aging Organizations, Alliance for Retired Americans, AFL-CIO, National Council on Aging, American Society on Aging, Asociacion Nacional Pro Personas Mayores, National Alliance for Caregiving, Caring Across Generations, Medicare Rights Center, The Gerontological Society of America, LeadingAge, Justice in Aging, National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, National Association of Social Workers, National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs, National Association of Area Agencies on Aging, Association of Jewish Aging Services, National Adult Day Care Services Association, National Indian Council on Aging, National Senior Corps Association, AMDA – The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine, Center for Eldercare Improvement – Altarum, National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association, Pension Rights Center, Social Security Works, American Postal Workers Union Retirees Department, Association for Gerontology and Human Development in HBCUs, and Women’s Institute for a Secure Retirement.
