[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 95 (Thursday, June 21, 2012)]
[House]
[Pages H3917-H3918]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY RESTORATION ACT

  (Ms. DeLAURO asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. DeLAURO. One year ago yesterday, the Supreme Court voted 5-4 in 
the case of Walmart v. Dukes to make it harder for workers to challenge 
discrimination in the workplace. Upending decades of judicial practice 
and precedent, the Court erected new unwarranted and challenging 
barriers for groups of private employees to challenge unemployment 
discrimination.
  As a result, 1.5 million female Walmart employees were denied remedy 
for discrimination that resulted in smaller paychecks, limited 
professional advancement, and increased financial pressures for 
families trying to make ends meet. In fact, all workers throughout the 
country will find it more difficult to challenge any discrimination in 
the workplace because of the Court's decision.
  Yesterday, I introduced the Equal Employment Opportunity Restoration 
Act, a thoughtful, careful, and effective legislative response to this 
flawed Supreme Court decision. It restores the rights of groups of 
plaintiffs to pursue

[[Page H3918]]

actions against employment discrimination.
  We need to see discrimination in the workplace addressed. We have to 
protect employees' rights to bring suit together. I urge my colleagues 
to support this legislation. Help restore the legal rights of ordinary 
citizens over corporations.

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