Casey’s Spotlight: My legislation for protecting older workers

Dear Friends:

Today, I introduced the Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act (POWADA), which would make it easier for older workers to fight back by removing the higher burden workers alleging age discrimination currently face in the court system relative to workers alleging discrimination based on race, sex, national origin, or religion. My bill would level the playing field for older workers, ensuring that everyone has equal access to the courts and reinforcing the essential principle that no amount of age discrimination is acceptable in the workplace.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA). While the ADEA marked an important step in protecting older workers from discrimination and has provided essential protections to millions of workers for decades, discrimination on the basis of age remains a significant problem.

I am pleased that Senator Collins, Chairman of the Special Committee, joined me in introducing this legislation, along with Senator Leahy and Senator Grassley. Our bill already has the backing of AARP, the National Partnership on Women and Families, the Leadership Conference for Civil and Human Rights, the National Employment Lawyers Association, and the American Association of People with Disabilities. To join the growing list of endorsing organizations, please respond to this email.

Working together is our best bet toward protecting older workers and fighting age discrimination.

Read about the full announcement, here.

Thanks for your help,

Robert P. Casey, Jr.
United States Senator
Ranking Member, Senate Special Committee on Aging