06-23-21

Contact: Sarah Abel

Phone: 202-225-5506

[email protected]

Rep. Ron Kind Votes to Protect Older Workers from Discrimination

Washington, DC – Today, Rep. Ron Kind voted for the bipartisan Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act, which would make it easier for employees to prove when they are the victim of age discrimination in the workplace.

“No one should face discrimination when they go to work for any reason – including age,” said Rep. Ron Kind. “Older Americans are valued members of our communities, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience to the workplace. They deserve the same protections as every other worker. I was proud to vote for this bipartisan legislation to help end workplace discrimination and restore fairness for older employees across Wisconsin.”

A 2009 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Gross v. FBL Financial Services, Inc. imposed a higher burden of proof on employees alleging age discrimination under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) than is required for other workplace discrimination. Due to this weakening of the ADEA, workers that allege age discrimination must overcome barriers not faced by workers alleging discrimination based on sex, race, national origin, or religion. The Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act would restore critical protections in the ADEA.

Rep. Kind is a member of the Ways and Means Committee, the most powerful – and the oldest – committee in the House of Representatives. It has jurisdiction over tax measures, the management of public debt, trade and tariff laws, Social Security, Medicare, pensions, and many other economic growth measures.

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