July 06, 2021

House of Representatives Passes Legislation to Protect Older Workers from Discrimination

On June 24, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 2062, the Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act, to restore protections for workers age 40 and older.

The bill, introduced by Reps. Bobby Scott (VA) and Rodney Davis (IL), aims to restore protections for workers age 40 and older that were lost due to a 2009 Supreme Court decision. It passed by a vote of 247-178.

A recent survey found that 78% of workers aged 40 to 65 say they have experienced age discrimination in the workplace. If the Senate passes this legislation, it will be the first significant age discrimination legislation passed in the United

States since the Age Discrimination Employment Act of 1967.

“Age discrimination is all too real and older workers need protection on the job,” said Alliance Secretary-Treasurer Joseph Peters, Jr. “We are encouraged that the House vote was bipartisan, and urge the Senate to pass it swiftly.”