Should Congress provide protections on older job applicants to prevent age-based discrimination in hiring?

This bill has Passed the House of Representatives
Bill Summary

This bill seeks to amend the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) of 1967 to prohibit employers from discriminating against older applicants. This bill will codify and clarify protections for both older job applicants and employees in the ADEA. Sponsor: Rep. Sylvia Garcia (Democrat, Texas, District 29)
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Opponents say

    "This ill-advised and harmful legislation targets employers’ reasonable recruitment and hiring practices at precisely the worst time for our recovering economy. There are over 9 million unfilled jobs available today. Businesses are desperate for qualified workers regardless of an applicant’s age. There is no evidence this bill is necessary. In fact, there is good reason to believe this bill is counterproductive for employers and jobseekers alike. Job Corps students, younger college graduates, and prospective apprentices will no doubt suffer if this bill becomes law." Source: Rep. Virginia Fox (Republican, North Carolina, District 5) 

Proponents say

    "Ageism is still very much present in our society. Unfortunately, this negatively affects older Americans who are seeking to return to the workforce or transition into new careers. It’s important we, as a society, acknowledge that we still have a long way to go to correct this often-implicit bias and give everyone a fair and equal opportunity when applying for a job. This bill seeks to do that." Source: Rep. Sylvia Garcia (Democrat, Texas, District 29)


    "Older workers should have equal access to civil rights protections, regardless of where they live or whether they are looking for a job or already have one. The Protect Older Job Applicants Act amends the disparate impact provisions of the A-D-E-A to ensure that we protect both older job applicants as well as older Americans who are already employed." Source: Rep. Bobby Scott (Democrat, Virginia, District 3)