U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) recently proposed a bipartisan, bicameral bill to help age discrimination victims seek justice and public accountability.
“Justice, fairness, and accountability should extend to every individual, regardless of their age,” Rep. Mace said on June 23.
The congresswoman on June 14 sponsored the Protecting Older Americans Act, H.R. 4120, to specifically amend title 9 of the U.S. Code regarding arbitration of disputes involving age discrimination. U.S. Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) on the same day introduced the same-named S. 1979.
“The Protecting Older Americans Act is a crucial step towards ensuring older Americans are not denied their right to seek justice and hold perpetrators of age discrimination accountable,” said Rep. Mace. “Invalidating forced arbitration clauses is essential in allowing victims to have their day in court and fostering transparency in addressing age-related injustices. We must stand together to protect the rights and dignity of our older citizens.”
The measure is supported by the AARP, the American Association for Justice, and Lift Our Voices.
“Three out of four older workers have seen or experienced age discrimination on the job, but too often cannot pursue justice because of forced arbitration, a secretive and unfair process that strips hard-working Americans of their constitutional right to a jury trial,” said Sen. Gillibrand. “Employers should no longer be able to use forced arbitration to hide illegal conduct. I am proud to introduce this bipartisan bill with my colleagues, and I am optimistic we can pass this critical reform this Congress.”