Brown, Raskin Introduce Bill to Codify Civil Rights-Era Anti-Discrimination Protections Revoked by Trump

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Shontel Brown (OH-11) and Congressman Jamie Raskin (MD-08) have introduced legislation to codify critical anti-discrimination protections revoked by President Trump last month. On January 21, President Trump issued an executive order revoking the Equal Employment Opportunity Executive Order 11246, a bedrock civil rights protection first issued by President Lyndon Johnson in 1965. The Equal Employment Opportunity order prohibited employment discrimination by federal contractors on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin. 

Brown and Raskin’s legislation, H.R. 989, would codify the Equal Employment Opportunity Executive Order into federal law, restoring these important anti-discrimination protections for Americans employed by federal contractors, which represent one-fifth of the national workforce. To date, 25 members of the House have cosponsored the legislation. 

“For 60 years, Republican and Democratic presidents alike have agreed that taxpayer money shouldn’t bankroll workplace discrimination. President Trump’s reckless rollback of equal opportunity protections turns back the clock on six decades of civil rights progress,” said Congresswoman Brown. “My new bill restores critical safeguards for contractor employees, ensuring they don’t face illegal discrimination in hiring processes and the workplace. Federal contractors who receive taxpayer funds and execute government programs should set the standard for equal opportunity.I will not stand by while this administration undermines the rights of women, Black Americans, and marginalized communities. The fight for fairness in the workplace is far from over.”

“By flooding the zone with dozens of illegal executive actions, outrageous suppression of the media, vicious scapegoating rhetoric, and nonstop administrative chaos, President Trump has tried to lose his directive to roll back Civil Rights-Era antidiscrimination protections in the crowd and noise,” said Congressman Raskin. “But we’re paying close attention and taking action on behalf of the people. I’m proud to join my friend Rep. Brown in introducing this crucial legislation codifying President Lyndon B. Johnson’s Executive Order ensuring equal opportunity for Americans employed by U.S. government contractors. This has been a basic precept of American life for more than half-century, but Donald Trump and Elon Musk are swinging a sledgehammer at it. We need to codify.”

While all workers in the United States are covered by anti-discrimination law, Executive Order 11246 took additional action to ensure that businesses that contract with federal government and utilize taxpayer dollars do not discriminate. 

Executive Order 11246 also included employee protections against employer retaliation in discrimination-related matters and required federal contractors take affirmative action to ensure equal opportunity in the workplace. The order also required contractors to file compliance reports with the federal government.

Since 1965, the Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) has monitored and enforced federal contractors’ compliance with nondiscrimination requirements under Executive Order 11246. The OFCCP also had the authority to review statistical employment data to investigate cases of disparate impact discrimination by contractors. By rescinding EO 11246, the Trump Administration has removed a significant tool to enforce anti-discrimination law.   

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