The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee voted to advance three bills supported by NEA: the PRO Act (S. 567) to reduce barriers to union organizing in the private sector; the Paycheck Fairness Act (S. 728) to close the gender wage gap, and the Healthy Families Act (S. 1664) to create a national standard for paid sick leave.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Chairman of the HELP Committee, noted that NEA is a top supporter of all three bills and stressed the need for them. “At a time when this country is experiencing more income and wealth inequality than ever before, 60% of workers are living paycheck to paycheck,” he said.
In addition, the Equality Act (S. 5/H.R. 15) was reintroduced in both the Senate and the House. The bill would amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Fair Housing Act, and other federal laws to include sexual orientation and gender identity as protected characteristics.
Congress will be in recess for the next two weeks, but work behind the scenes will continue. Weigh in and let your elected representatives know where you stand!
In solidarity,
Marc Egan
Government Relations Director
National Education Association
CHEER: Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) reintroduced the Equality Act (S. 5/H.R. 15), which would give LGBTQ+ Americans explicit protection from discrimination in key areas of life: employment, housing, credit, education, public spaces and services, federally funded programs, and jury service.
JEER: Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) introduced an amendment to eliminate the positon of Chief of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools during the markup of the FY2024 National Defense Authorization Act by the House Armed Services Committee.
JEER: Rep. John Moolenar (R-MI) introduced the SOAR Permanent Authorization Act (H.R. 3663), which would renew and permanently authorize the District of Columbia voucher program that siphons scarce resources from public to private schools.
