It Hurts Our Nation’s Ability to Combat Employment Discrimination!

Pang Houa Moua — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 14:00:00 GMT

During Senate committee proceedings, Senator Alexander introduced and passed an amendment to the Senate Commerce, Justice, and Science (CJS) Appropriations bill that would severely restrict the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's (EEOC) ability to fully investigate and pursue civil actions against employers that have English-only policies in the workplace and are using these policies in a discriminatory manner.

This provision sets a dangerous precedent of eroding the ability to enforce anti-discrimination laws. A significant number of these cases demonstrate that the EEOC was pursuing employers who had no legitimate business reasons for enforcing English-only policies. Many employers were abridging more fundamental rights in the workplace such as forbidding employees from speaking their native language during breaks.

While the Senate included this provision in their CJS appropriations bill, the provision did not pass in the House. We must call upon Members in the House CJS Subcommittee to push their fellow lawmakers to remove this harmful provision from the final bill in negotiations.

TELL THEM: By preventing the government from seeking action against employers who have "English-only" policies, this provision cripples the ability of our nation to effectively prevent employment discrimination. This provision serves to only deepen barriers and propose a harmful solution to workplace discrimination.

The Alexander "English-Only" Amendment hobbles government effectiveness and accountability and its ability to properly prosecute employment discrimination.

The CJS bill is in conference from November 5-16. Please contact conferees now and urge them to strike the Alexander English-only amendment from the final CJS bill. Call the following numbers to urge Members to remove the English-Only provision!

Alan Mollahan (WV)	(202) 225-4172
Chaka Fattah (PA)	(202) 225-4001
C.A. "Dutch" Ruppersberger (MD)	(202) 225-3061
Adam Schiff (CA)	(202) 225-4167
Rosa L. Delauro (CT)	(202) 225-3661
David E. Price (NC)	(202) 225-1784
David Obey (WI), Ex Officio	(202) 225-3365

For questions or additional information please contact Pang Houa Moua at pmoua@advancingequality.org or (202) 296-2300 x122.

2-Nov-07 10:00 AM

Asian American Justice Center - Articles

It Hurts Our Nation’s Ability to Combat Employment Discrimination!