Top Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 03/01/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.

Bill Text
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States respecting the right to full employment and balanced growth.

2/13/2007--Introduced.

Constitutional Amendment - Provides that every person has the right to: (1) work; (2) free choice of employment; (3) just and favorable conditions of work; (4) protection against unemployment; and (5) equal pay for equal work, without any discrimination.

Provides that all persons who work have the right to: (1) just and favorable remuneration ensuring for themselves and their family an existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other means of social protection; and (2) form and join trade unions for the protection of their interests.

Latest Action: 03/29/2007 - Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3283-3338; text of measure as reported in House: CR H3283-3289)

Bill Text
Revising the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2007, establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2008, and setting forth appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2009 through 2012. 3/29/2007--Passed House without amendment.    (There are 2 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the House reported version is repeated here.) Revises and replaces the congressional budget for the federal government for FY2007. Sets forth the congressional budget for the federal government for FY2008, including the appropriate budgetary levels for FY2009-FY2012. Title I: Recommended Levels and Amounts - (Sec. 101) Recommends budgetary levels and amounts for FY2007-FY2012 for: (1) federal revenues; (2) new budget authority; (3) budget outlays; (4) deficits (on-budget); (5) debt subject to limit; [...]

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Latest Action: 05/18/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning, and Competitiveness.

Bill Text
To direct the Secretary of Labor to make a grant to a public university to establish the Center for the Study of Women and Workplace Policy.

1/24/2007--Introduced.

Directs the Secretary of Labor to make a grant, to a public university with specified characteristics, to establish the Center for the Study of Women and Workplace Policy.

Requires the Center to: (1) compile and analyze available data and data sets on the difference between the earnings of men and women, including the Panel Study of Income Dynamics housed at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor; (2) identify factors which affect differences in earnings; and (3) disseminate findings, maintain a website as a clearinghouse, and publish an annual best practices guide.

Latest Action: 03/06/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2699-2700)

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to provide more effective remedies of victims of discrimination in the payment of wages on the basis of sex, and for other purposes. 3/6/2007--Introduced. Paycheck Fairness Act - Amends the portion of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (FLSA) known as the Equal Pay Act to revise remedies for and enforcement of prohibitions against sex discrimination in the payment of wages to: (1) add nonretaliation requirements; (2) increase penalties; and (3) authorize the Secretary of Labor (the Secretary) to seek additional compensatory or punitive damages. Requires the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs to train EEOC employees and affected individuals and entities on matters involving wage discrimination. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to eligible entities for negotiation skills training programs for girls and women. Directs the Secretaries of Labor [...]

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Latest Action: 04/11/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to prohibit discrimination in the payment of wages on account of sex, race, or national origin, and for other purposes. 4/11/2007--Introduced. Fair Pay Act of 2007 - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to prohibit discrimination in the payment of wages on account of sex, race, or national origin. (Allows payment of different wages under seniority systems, merit systems, systems that measure earnings by quantity or quality of production, or differentials based on bona fide factors that the employer demonstrates are job-related or further legitimate business interests.) Prohibits the discharge of or any other discrimination against an individual for opposing any act or practice made unlawful by this Act, or for assisting in an investigation or proceeding under it. Directs courts, in any action brought under this Act for violation of such prohibition, to allow expert fees as part of the costs awarded to prevailing [...]

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Latest Action: 03/07/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Bill Text
To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide geographic equity in fee-for-service reimbursement for providers under the Medicare Program.

2/27/2007--Introduced.

Medicare Equity and Fairness in Fee-for-Service Reimbursement Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a system for making adjustments to the amount of payment made to providers of services and health care professionals for services provided under the original Medicare fee-for-service program, with specified formulae for states whose average per beneficiary amount is: (1) greater than 100% of the national average; or (2) less than 100% of the national average. Provides for a three year phase-in of such rates.

Latest Action: 08/01/2008 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Bill Text
To amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to provide more effective remedies to victims of discrimination in the payment of wages on the basis of sex, and for other purposes. 3/6/2007--Introduced. Paycheck Fairness Act - Amends the portion of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (FLSA) known as the Equal Pay Act to revise remedies for and enforcement of prohibitions against sex discrimination in the payment of wages to: (1) add nonretaliation requirements; (2) increase penalties; and (3) authorize the Secretary of Labor (the Secretary) to seek additional compensatory or punitive damages. Requires the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs to train EEOC employees and affected individuals and entities on matters involving wage discrimination. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to eligible entities for negotiation skills training programs for girls and women. Directs the Secretaries of Labor and [...]

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Latest Action: 05/11/2007 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Bill Text
To authorize appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for fiscal year 2008, and for other purposes. 5/9/2007--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Department of Homeland Security Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 - Title I: Authorization of Appropriations - (Sec. 101) Authorizes appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for FY2008.Title II: Policy and Management Improvements - (Sec. 201) Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (HSA) to replace provisions establishing within DHS a Directorate of Border and Transportation Security with provisions establishing a Directorate for Policy, headed by an Under Secretary for Policy, which shall include: (1) the Office of the Private Sector; (2) the Victim Assistance Officer; (3) the Tribal Security Officer; and (4) the Border Community Liaison Officer.Makes the Under Secretary for Policy the principal policy advisor to the Secretary [...]

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Latest Action: 04/16/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Information Policy, Census, and National Archives.

Bill Text
To amend title 5, United States Code, to provide that Federal employees stationed in American Samoa shall be paid the same nonforeign area cost-of-living allowance as if stationed in Guam or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

3/29/2007--Introduced.

Provides that federal employees stationed in American Samoa shall be paid the same allowance based on living costs and conditions of environment as if stationed in Guam or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Latest Action: 07/09/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections.

Bill Text
To amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to prohibit discrimination in the payment of wages on account of sex, race, or national origin, and for other purposes. 4/24/2007--Introduced. Fair Pay Act of 2007 - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to prohibit discrimination in the payment of wages on account of sex, race, or national origin. (Allows payment of different wages under seniority systems, merit systems, systems that measure earnings by quantity or quality of production, or differentials based on bona fide factors that the employer demonstrates are job-related or further legitimate business interests.) Prohibits the discharge of, or any other discrimination against, an individual for opposing any act or practice made unlawful by this Act or for assisting in an investigation or proceeding under it. Directs courts, in any action brought under this Act for violation of such prohibition, to allow expert fees as part of the costs awarded to prevailing [...]

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Latest Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 04/30/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Bill Text
A bill to amend title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, to clarify that a discriminatory compensation decision or other practice occurs on the date on which the aggrieved person knew or should have known that the person was affected by the decision or practice, and for other purposes.

4/30/2008--Introduced.

Fair Pay Act of 2008 - Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to declare that an unlawful employment practice occurs when the aggrieved person knew or should have known that the person was affected by the discriminatory compensation decision or other practice involved. Applies that amendment to claims of compensation discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Amends the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 to declare that an unlawful practice occurs when the aggrieved person knew or should have known that the person was affected by the discriminatory compensation decision or other practice involved.

Latest Action: 01/24/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S286)

Bill Text
A bill to restore, reaffirm, and reconcile legal rights and remedies under civil rights statutes. 1/24/2008--Introduced. Civil Rights Act of 2008 - Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Education Amendments of 1972, and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 to set forth requirements for: (1) establishing discrimination based on disparate impact; and (2) rights of action and recovery for unlawful discrimination (intentional or based on disparate impact). Amends those Acts and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to set forth requirements regarding a right of recovery for harassment. Amends the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA), and the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (FLSA) to provide that a state's receipt or use of federal financial assistance for a state program or activity constitutes a waiver of sovereign immunity for a suit by a program employee. Amends the Air Carrier [...]

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Latest Action: 02/04/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.

Bill Text
To restore, reaffirm, and reconcile legal rights and remedies under civil rights statutes. 1/23/2008--Introduced. Civil Rights Act of 2008 - Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Education Amendments of 1972, and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 to set forth requirements for: (1) establishing discrimination based on disparate impact; and (2) rights of action and recovery for unlawful discrimination (intentional or based on disparate impact). Amends those Acts and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to set forth requirements regarding a right of recovery for harassment. Amends the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA), and the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (FLSA) to provide that a state's receipt or use of federal financial assistance for a state program or activity constitutes a waiver of sovereign immunity for a suit by a program employee. Amends the Air Carrier Access [...]

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Latest Action: 01/16/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Post Office, and the District of Columbia.

Bill Text
To amend the Federal Law Enforcement Pay Reform Act of 1990 to adjust the percentage differentials payable to Federal law enforcement officers in certain high-cost areas, and for other purposes.

12/19/2007--Introduced.

Amends the Federal Law Enforcement Pay Reform Act of 1990 to revise the special pay adjustments for (percentage differentials payable to) federal law enforcement officers in specified consolidated metropolitan statistical areas. Includes Capitol Police as law enforcement officers under such Act.

Eliminates the limitation on the aggregate of basic pay and premium pay with respect to availability pay for federal criminal investigators.

Latest Action: 07/16/2008 - Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

Bill Text
To amend the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to extend comparability pay adjustments to members of the Foreign Service assigned to posts abroad, and to amend the provision relating to the death gratuity payable to surviving dependents of Foreign Service employees who die as a result of injuries sustained in the performance of duty abroad.

7/27/2007--Introduced.

Foreign Service Overseas Pay Equity Act of 2007 - Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to: (1) extend comparability pay adjustments to Foreign Service members assigned abroad; and (2) amend the death gratuity computation payable to surviving dependents of Foreign Service employees who die from injuries sustained in the performance of duty abroad.

Latest Action: 05/03/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Bill Text
To require a study and comprehensive analytical report on transforming America by reforming the Federal tax code through elimination of all Federal taxes on individuals and corporations and replacing the Federal tax code with a transaction fee-based system. 5/3/2007--Introduced. Comprehensive Transform America Transaction Fee Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to conduct an in-depth study on the implementation of a transaction fee in the United States to replace all existing federal taxes. Sets forth guidelines for such study, including: (1) an identification of the transactions to which such fee would apply; (2) exclusions from such fee; (3) the rate of such fee; (4) potential uses for revenue from such fee; (5) progressivity standards; and (6) general matters, including point of liability for such fee and responsibility for collection. Requires the Secretary to report to Congress on the results of such study within one year after the enactment of [...]

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Latest Action: 07/09/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections.

Bill Text
To amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to prohibit discrimination in the payment of wages on account of sex, race, or national origin, and for other purposes. 4/24/2007--Introduced. Fair Pay Act of 2007 - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to prohibit discrimination in the payment of wages on account of sex, race, or national origin. (Allows payment of different wages under seniority systems, merit systems, systems that measure earnings by quantity or quality of production, or differentials based on bona fide factors that the employer demonstrates are job-related or further legitimate business interests.) Prohibits the discharge of, or any other discrimination against, an individual for opposing any act or practice made unlawful by this Act or for assisting in an investigation or proceeding under it. Directs courts, in any action brought under this Act for violation of such prohibition, to allow expert fees as part of the costs awarded to prevailing [...]

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Latest Action: 04/11/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to prohibit discrimination in the payment of wages on account of sex, race, or national origin, and for other purposes. 4/11/2007--Introduced. Fair Pay Act of 2007 - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to prohibit discrimination in the payment of wages on account of sex, race, or national origin. (Allows payment of different wages under seniority systems, merit systems, systems that measure earnings by quantity or quality of production, or differentials based on bona fide factors that the employer demonstrates are job-related or further legitimate business interests.) Prohibits the discharge of or any other discrimination against an individual for opposing any act or practice made unlawful by this Act, or for assisting in an investigation or proceeding under it. Directs courts, in any action brought under this Act for violation of such prohibition, to allow expert fees as part of the costs awarded to prevailing [...]

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Latest Action: 04/16/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Information Policy, Census, and National Archives.

Bill Text
To amend title 5, United States Code, to provide that Federal employees stationed in American Samoa shall be paid the same nonforeign area cost-of-living allowance as if stationed in Guam or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

3/29/2007--Introduced.

Provides that federal employees stationed in American Samoa shall be paid the same allowance based on living costs and conditions of environment as if stationed in Guam or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.