Document: 462 U.S. 669 103 S.Ct. 2622 77 L.Ed.2d 89 NEWPORT NEWS SHIPBUILDING AND DRY DOCK COMPANY, Petitioner,v.EEOC. No. 82-411. Argued April 27, 1983. Decided June 20, Syllabus Section 703(a)(1) of Title VII the Civil Rights Act 1964 makes it an unlawful employment practice for employer to discriminate against employee with respect compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges employment, because employee's race, color, religion, sex, national origin. was amended in 1978 by Pregnancy Discrimination prohibit discrimination on basis pregnancy. Petitioner then its health insurance plan provide female employees hospitalization benefits pregnancy-related conditions same extent as other medical but provided less extensive pregnancy spouses male employees. filed action Federal District Court challenging EEOC's guidelines which indicated that unlawful, and EEOC turn petitioner alleging sex petitioner's provision benefits. The upheld lawfulness dismissed complaint. On a consolidated appeal, Appeals reversed. Held: limitation discriminates violation § 703(a)(1). Pp. 676-685. (a) Congress, enacting Act, not only overturned holding General Electric Co. v. Gilbert, 429 125, 97 401, 50 343, exclusion disabilities caused from employer's disability providing general coverage did constitute based also rejected reasoning employed case, differential treatment is gender-based women can become pregnant. 676-682. (b) clear discriminatory exclude otherwise inclusive plan. Thus, unlawfully gives married benefit package their dependents than dependency 682-684. (c) There no merit argument prohibitions do extend pregnant statute applies employment. Since is, face, since spouse's always opposite fringe Pp.684-685 682 F.2d 113, affirmed. Andrew M. Kramer, Washington, D.C., petitioner. Harriet S. Shapiro, respondent. Justice STEVENS delivered opinion Court. 1 In Congress decided overrule our decision Gener l 343 (1976), amending "to pregnancy."1 effective date act, conditions.2 continued, however, favorable question presented whether complies statute. 2 Petitioner's provides medical-surgical defined category employees3 dependents. Dependents covered include employees' spouses, unmarried children between 14 days 19 years age, some older dependent children.4 Prior 29, 1979, scope plan's eligible identical employees.5 All males, dependents, were treated alike purposes coverage. females, alike. Moreover, one relevant exception, males females identical. exception hospital apply any confinement.6 3 After themselves all differentiated benefits.7 booklet describing plan, explained amendment gave rise this litigation way: 4 "B. Effective maternity 5 will be paid confinement described 16. This deliveries beginning 1979 thereafter. 6 "C. Maternity wife continue part 'A' question." App. Pet. Cert. 37a. 7 turn, Part A stated, "The Basic Plan pays up $500 charges 100% reasonable customary delivery anesthesiologist charges." Ibid. As observed, "To connection uncomplicated may exceed $500, therefore, receives complete spousal does employee." 667 448, 449 (CA4 1982). 8 passage before became effective, Equal Opportunity Employment Commission issued "interpretive guidelines" form questions answers.8 Two those questions, numbers 21 22, made would consider unlawful. Number read follows: 9 "21. Q. Must expenses employees? Of 10 "A. Where required institute such However, if program covers employees, must equally cover including arising conditions. 11 But have non-spouse long excludes equally." 44 Fed.Reg. 23804, 23807 (April 1979).9 12 September charge had refused full his wife's pregnancy; month later United Steelworkers similar behalf individuals. 15-18. commenced States Eastern Virginia, Commission's seeking both declaratory injunctive relief. complaint named EEOC, employee, America defendants. 5-14. Later civil company's 28-31. Concluding new extended held lawful enjoined enforcement relating spouses. 510 F.Supp. 66 (1981). It 21a. two cases appeal. 13 divided panel Fourth Circuit reversed, "the contains distinction results impermissible under statute." 451 (1982). rehearing case en banc, court reaffirmed conclusion over dissent three judges who believed intended protect "in ability inability work," 1a. Because important been differently Ninth Circuit, Lockheed Missiles Space Co., 680 1243 (1982), we granted certiorari. --- ----, 487, 74 630 (1982).10 Ultimately decide has discriminated within meaning VII.11 Although clarified certain terms section, neither nor underlying definition word "discriminate." order therefore go beyond bare statutory language. Accordingly, shall specific supra, test case. We believe did. Under proper protection affords comprehensive 15 * At issue Gilbert legality weekly compensation during periods resulting nonoccupational causes. excluded pregnancy, concluded sex. 16 noting define term "discrimination," applied analysis derived construing Protection Clause Fourteenth Amendment Constitution. U.S., at 133, S.Ct., 406. quoted length footnote Geduldig Aiello, 417 484, 94 2485, 41 256 (1974), constitutionality excluding California's plan.12 "Since finding sex-based trigger, this, 703(a)(1)," added, "Geduldig precisely point disability-benefits all." 136, 408. 17 dissenters took majority's assumption "that standard coterminous applicable VII." Id., 154, n. 6, 417, (BRENNAN, J., dissenting); id., 160-161, 420 (STEVENS, dissenting).13 matter statu ory interpretation, Court's BRENNAN explained, facially company devise "a policy that, offers risks, even are 'unique to' men heavily dominated." 160, 420. inaccurate describe dividing potential recipients into groups, non-pregnant persons, programs "deal future risks rather historic facts." Rather, appropriate classification "between persons face risk not." 161-162, 5, 421, dissenting). uncompensated unemployment physical disability, giving categories partial protection. asserted violated similarly situated males. 18 When 1978, unambiguously expressed disapproval decision. incorporated subsection "definitions" "[f]or subchapter." 42 U.S.C. 2000e-2 (1976 ed., Supp. V.). first clause states, quite simply: 'because sex' 'on include, limited to, childbirth, related conditions." 2000e-(k).14 House Report "It Committee's view dissenting Justices correctly interpreted Act."15 Similarly, Senate passages opinions, stating they "correctly express principle title VII."16 Proponents bill repeatedly emphasized Supreme erroneously Congressional intent legislation necessary reestablish principles law understood prior Many them expressly agreed views Justices.17 argues, congressional discussion focused needs members work force create "negative inference" limiting act problem motivated enactment. See Turkette, 452 576, 591, 101 2524, 2532, 69 246 Cf. McDonald Santa Fe Trail Transp. 427 273, 285-296, 96 2574, 2581-2586, 49 493 (1976).18 apparently assumed existing plans included typically wives employees.19 addressed Report, Committee should resolved "on principles."20 legislative context thereby referring reflected opinion. stressed throughout debates individuals employment—including workers.21 Against background review 20 703(a) "discriminate individual individual's . ." 2002e-2(a) (1976). Health "compensation, employment." Male well protected discrimination. private violate VII.22 Such pass simple enunciated Los Angeles Department Water & Power Manhart, 435 702, 711, 98 1370, 1377, 55 657 (1978), treat manner person's different."23 result reached magnitude smaller. For example, when broken bones discriminating just Its wives, more requiring hospitalization. Thus husbands receive specified level conditions; except conditions.24 singled out nondiscriminatory pregnant, unequivocally reasoning. favorably 22 two-step demonstrates fallacy contention. now purposes, woman's her And spouse follows inexorably Wengler Druggists Mutual Ins. 446 142, 147, 100 1540, 1543, 64 107 (1980).25 By making could erase original prohibition 23 short, Congress' rejection premises forecloses claim beneficiaries mirror image Gilbert. th violates employees.26 judgment 24 Affirmed. 25 REHNQUIST, whom POWELL joins, dissenting. 26 "because [an] sex" 1964, 703(a)(1), 78 Stat. 255, 2000e-2(a)(1).1 view, non-occupational sickness accident benefits, clearly VII. different obtain, judicially overruled legislatively entirety 27 Today, purports find latter relying Pub.L. 95-555, 92 2076, 2000e(k), plainly speaks affected says nothing about employees.2 course, free whole part, there what manifests dissatisfaction I think reads far put there, Court, overruling presenting relatively construction, virtually attention language history pertaining part: 28 employment-related receipt programs, so work. 29 2000e(k). 30 recognizes merely definitional "[u]ltimately 703(a)(1)" Ante, 2626. 31 fail refuse hire discharge individual, 2000e-2(a)(1). 32 undisputed "individual" refers applicant modified proscription "against employee. 33 That inadvertent very evident second essentially ignores further creating saying "women " below stands alone thinking otherwise.3 34 concedes correct reading clause. 678 14. Then apparent effort escape impact provision, asserts "[t]he clause." disagree. help above, inserted thing: added 35 plain leaves little room "congressional employees." 679. fact, singular focus iscussion problems worker striking. 36 introducing principal sponsor, Senator Williams, explained: 37 "Because fundamental Nation's million working women. way toward insuring American permitted assume rightful place economy. 38 "In addition regard policies adversely affect workers." 124 Cong.Rec. S18,977 (daily ed. Oct. 13, 1978) (emphasis added).4 39 examples margin,5 Record overflowing statements expressing intention insure Consistent these views, committee reports bills led state require employers "other employees."6 40 trys avoid "does 'negative inference' enactment." might silent arguably issue. silent. provides: "Questions raised committee's deliberations regarding how opposed themselves. remembered basic purpose alter regards [T]he dependents' determined principles. either without additional cost matter. Presumably rare, aware concerning plans. certainly desire encourage institution If instituted future, remain whether, VII, dependents." S.Rep. 331, 95th Cong., 1st Sess. 5-6 (1977), Leg.Hist., 42-43 added). disclaims deal want encourage" petitioner's, cannot plausibly argued prohibit" Williams questioned Hatch discussions floor answers effect. 43 "MR. HATCH: phrase 'women childbirth conditions,' appears overly broad, person "Indeed present bill, arguable cove ed rights amendment. 45 "Could sponsors clarify exactly intends cover? 46 47 WILLIAMS: see relates ambiguity, let here precise. deals woman, woman situation where income maintenance event disability; particular period she anything excluded. 48 So satisfied though brought up, 'woman pregnancy' seems ambiguous, means actually after employment? 51 "Exactly." 123 S15,038-39 Sept. 16, 1977), 80 added).7 52 me end here. offend Nothing reach controls requires reverse Appeals. here, stopping place, begins. says: 53 "Although 'discriminate.' he did." 675-676. 54 seem refuted own recognizing clarifies phrases sex," "discriminate."8 Instead proceeds try explain while said thing, another. crux redefines intent." ante, 684. Somehow concludes renders obsolete. 56 support argument, points few several various effect had, construed misperceived 88th Congress. 679 17. "[m]any [the Congress] Justices." Certainly much. fact remains body sweeping Act. 57 reaches otherwise, dissent. 2076 (quoting Act). (the Act) "Definitions" section 2000e add (k) pertinent work, 2000e-2(h) permit otherwise. enactment, October 31, requirements then-existing until 180 enactment—April 1979. 2076. day following months continuous service, every active, full-time, production, maintenance, technical, clerical area bargaining unit becomes participant. 29a. age full-time college students solely mentally physically handicapped covered. 30a. An amount payable incurred does, take account amounts group personal participation 34a-36a. physicians' anesthesiology, charges. confinement, semi-private 120 surgical procedures; $750 services (including nursing care, x-ray examinations, drugs) hospitalization; percent exceeding maximum days. 31a-32a (question 16); 44a-45a (same differentiation termination). found investigation, record reveals disparate genesis accorded past." 37. Interim interpretive published comment Register March 9, 13278-13281. Final 23804-23808. interested parties obligations advance compliance date." 23804. reprinted appendix CFR 1604 Question clear. reads: "22. spous sustained condition, level." Fed.Reg., 23807-23808. Subsequently Seventh Circuit. Joslyn Mfg. Supply 706 1469 (1983). 703(a), 2000e-2(a) "(a) employer— "(1) origin; remove limit VII's employee—male female—which already infra, pp. 682-685, 'While true follow like considered Reed [v. Reed, 404 71, 251, 225], Frontiero, supra. Normal objectively identifiable condition unique characteristics. Absent showing distinctions involving mere pretexts designed invidious other, lawmakers constitutionally basis, condition. 'The lack identity gender upon most cursory analysis. divides groups—pregnant nonpregnant persons. While exclusively female, includes sexes.' 496-497, [94 2492, 20]." 134-135, 407. emphasis text opinion, unlike footnote, reasonableness State's justifications program. infra. clear, evaluating program, "non-invidious" character legitimate fiscal interest 496, 2491. justification 25, clause, explains application H.R.Rep. 95-948, 2d Legislative History (Committee Print prepared Labor Human Resources), Ser. 96-2, p. 148 (1979) (hereinafter Leg. Hist.), U.S.Code Cong. Admin.News 4749, 4750. 95-331, 2-3 Hist. 39-40. supra 7-8 ("the reestablishing lower courts"); (1978) (same); 10582 (1977) (remarks Rep. Hawkins) ("H.R. 5055 really and, believe, my colleagues enacted 1972, For, ems commonsense, people necessarily women, forbidding forbids pregnancy."); 29387 Sen. Williams) ("this simply corrective legislation, restore last year, ."); 29647; 29655 Javits) ("What doing leaving year."); 21436 Sarasin) ("This interpretation decision"). approving Bayh, 18, 1977); Hawkins, 1977, 10582); 67 Javits, 15, 29387); 73 134 Mathias, 29663-29664); 168 Sarasin, July 21436). Basis Pregnancy, Hearings 995 Before Subcomm. Comm. Resources, (statement Bayh); 37, Assistant Attorney Drew Days). McDonald, 1981 "all jurisdiction right State Territory make enforce contracts enjoyed white citizens," protects whites race "immediate impetus necessity relief emancipated former Negro slaves." 289, 2583. This, enactment 672, Leg.Hist. ("Presumably Titl plans."); 29,663 Cranston); Brief 31-33, 31. purposes. Therefore principles." 42-43; 6. statement imply applicability; acknowledges itself resolve question. quotes excerpts exchange Senators Williams. Post, 692-693. Taken context, colloquy 14, sponsor bill's 80. response Hatch, "With disabilities, misunderstood." Upon inquiry replied, "If plans, it." response, narrowly drawn give obtain someone These comments, Williams' responses, omitted dissent's lengthy quotation, post, 2635. Other portions logical discuss pregnancies asked, "what status coworker rides get once commences leave mother stays home nurse daughter?" reference light hypothetical questions; address wishes time off See, e.g., 7539 ignored Act—that unjust discrimination, workers"); 29385, 29652. these, anomalous hold sex-based, gender-neutral. During course debate Bayh Cranston belief fully 29642, 29663 (1977). relies decision, ultimately rely understanding principles, attach significance many comments Congressmen disapproving 17, II Consistently 1970 Guidelines Sex, 1604.9(d); Decision 70-510, 1973 E.E.O.C. Dec. (CCH) ¶ 6132 (Feb. 4, 1970) (accident insurance); 70-513, 6114 (death surviving spouse); 70-660, 6133 (Mar. 24, (health 71-1100, 6197 (Dec. (group insurance). Frontiero Richardson, 411 677, 688, 93 1764, 1771, 583 (1973) (opinion BRENNAN, J.) (increased quarters allowances dental benefits); 691 (POWELL, concurring judgment); Weinberger Wiesenfeld, 636, 645, 95 1225, 1231, 514 (1975) (Social Security spouses); 654-655, 1236 concurring); Califano Goldfarb, 430 199, 207-208, 1021, 1027, 270 (1980) (workers' death spouses). Manhart passed. discussed history, set forth "existing principles" relied. Cannon University Chicago, 441 696-698, 99 1946, 1957-1958, 60 560 (1979). struck down larger contributions pension fund class tend live longer men. "An 2,000 contribute money 10,000 each man, direct conflict p actice evidence shows 'treatment different.' constitutes unless exempted Pay 1963 affirmative justification." 1377. internal quotation Developments Law, 84 Harv.L.Rev. 1109, 1170 (1971). analogous suffer bones, recognizes, (Question 22), covering according affects daughters. 23805, states eliminates need average monetary value 137-140, 408-410. although type properly analyzed passing recognized shown. 716-717, 1379; 1604.9(e) (1982) ("It defense greater other.") open possibility other." 135, 407, (1976) 496-497 2491-2492 (1974)). "female employees," intend applicants use convenience. Manufacturing 1469, 1479 (CA7 1983); 1243, 1245 (CA9 Appeals' majority, responding reliance language, excused import saying: 'ability work' denotes suggest 'as affected'; say affected.' 450-451 1982); Petn. a1. obviously comport commonsense explanation "persons" "employees" Reprinted 96th Sess., 200-201 [hereinafter referred "Leg. Hist."]. foreword official printing Act's essential number labor increased dramatically recent years. Most economic families. expected trend increasing workforce proportion mothers. harmful effects pregnancy." iii. S4403 Bayh) (bill "help equality Nation"); S14,989 Hist., 62-63 ("central workers work"); S18,978 8, 1978), 203 ("bill represents fairness employees"); S18,979 204 Stafford) "major source unjustly afflicting America"); H6865 172 Green) "will ago"); H6867 177 Quie) "necessary enjoy equal programs"); 178 Akaka) fairly treated"). S4144 Brooke); S4145, S15,058 Mathias); S14,992 Leg.Hist , 71 Kennedy); S15,056 126 Biden); 132 Culver); Corrada); H6863, H13,495 168, 207 Hawkins); H13,495-96 208-209 Sarasin); H6868 Chisholm); H6869 181 LaFalce); 182 Collins); 184 Whalen); H6870 185 Burke); Tsongas). 33, 38-53; Education Labor, 948, 147-164; Conference, 1786, 194-198. suggests explaining "income plans" 680, 20. utterly illogical. Spouses maintained. ensure Hatch's final clearer. workers. confirmed intended. indications contrary isolated remarks Cranston. S15,037, 75, 131. statements, concern Senators' existed Their conclusions completely odds entitled deference consistently [unamended] sections weight. [Title VII] controls." Teamsters States, 431 324, 354 39, 1843, 1864 396 Southeastern Community College Davis, 442 397, 11, 2361, 2369 980 "acknowledges [in Act] question"

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