Commemorating the 57th anniversary of the establishment of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, recognizing the importance of the Commission in addressing inequities in our economy, and recognizing the tremendous amount of work left to further protect the rights of workers, hold employers accountable for workplace discrimination and harassment, and address the wage gap.

Commemorating the 57th anniversary of the establishment of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, recognizing the importance of the Commission in addressing inequities in our economy, and recognizing the tremendous amount of work left to further protect the rights of workers, hold employers accountable for workplace discrimination and harassment, and address the wage gap. Whereas July 2, 2022, marks the 57th anniversary of the formation of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (referred to in this preamble as the EEOC 42 U.S.C. 2000e et seq. Whereas the mission of the EEOC is to prevent and remedy unlawful employment discrimination and advance equal opportunity for all in the workplace, including through education, outreach, investigations, and litigation; Whereas the EEOC is responsible for enforcing Federal laws that prohibit discrimination in employment, including harassment and compensation discrimination, including (1) section 6(d) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (commonly known as the Equal Pay Act of 1963 29 U.S.C. 206(d) (2) title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 ( 42 U.S.C. 2000e et seq. (3) the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 ( 29 U.S.C. 621 et seq. (4) the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978 ( Public Law 95555 (5) title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ( 42 U.S.C. 12111 et seq. 29 U.S.C. 791 (6) title II of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 ( 42 U.S.C. 2000ff et seq. Whereas, since 1965, the United States has made great progress in ensuring equal opportunity and fair treatment in the workplace for women, workers of color, workers with disabilities, older workers, and other workers; Whereas title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 promises workers that they can earn a paycheck without facing discrimination or harassment in the workplace and without fear of retaliation; Whereas the EEOC plays a vital role in making that promise a reality by investigating workplace discrimination and harassment, and by enforcing Federal anti-discrimination statutes; Whereas, in fiscal year 2021, the EEOC resolved over 62,000 charges and recovered over $350,000,000 in remedies for violations of anti-discrimination laws, and between fiscal years 2018 and 2021, the EEOC received over 98,000 charges alleging harassment, of which, over 27,000 were related to sexual harassment; Whereas, despite the progress that has been made toward equity and fairness in the workplace, the gender wage gap persists, and according to the most recent data and updated methodology, women were paid just 73 cents for every dollar paid to men in 2020, with even greater disparities for women of color; Whereas the EEOCs own extensive study of sexual harassment in the workplace concluded that it is difficult to even know how many individuals experience sexual harassment, a critical first step to addressing harassment and ensuring that workers feel safe; and Whereas tipped workers (who are largely low wage, women, and immigrant workers) are more likely to experience workplace harassment and retaliation, and account for 14 percent of harassment charges to the EEOC, a high share of such harassment charges: Now, therefore, be it That the Senate (1) recognizes the critical role the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (referred to in this resolution as the EEOC (2) recognizes the work that still remains to be done to secure the rights and opportunities guaranteed by Federal anti-discrimination laws, which ensure all workers have a fair shot at success in the workplace.

Summary: This resolution recognizes the critical role the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission plays in addressing long-standing issues including the wage gap, combating workplace harassment, and ensuring all workers are treated with dignity and respect in the workplace.