Equal Remedies Act of 2026

Suzanne Bonamici

Democrat · OR · Representative

Source: Congress.gov · FEC

• Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC)Original· 2026-06-03
• Pramila Jayapal (D-WA-7)Original· 2026-06-03
• Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (D-VA-3)Original· 2026-06-03
• Lois Frankel (D-FL-22)· 2026-06-10

Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

2026-06-03

Source: Congress.gov

This proposal would expand the types of compensation and legal remedies available to workers who win discrimination lawsuits based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, as well as those based on age discrimination. Currently, workers in age discrimination cases can recover less than workers in other discrimination cases, and this bill would make the remedies equal across all types of discrimination claims. The change would affect employees who pursue discrimination cases against their employers in federal court.

AI-assisted summary generated from the official bill metadata (title, subjects, actions) sourced from Congress.gov. Cached and reviewed. Always verify against the official text linked below.

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H.R. 9116 Introduced in House (IH)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 9116 To amend section 1977A of the Revised Statutes of 1977 to equalize the remedies available under that section and to amend the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 to provide any legal or equitable relief available under title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES June 3, 2026 Ms. Bonamici (for herself, Mr. Scott of Virginia, Ms. Norton, and Ms. Jayapal) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To amend section 1977A of the Revised Statutes of 1977 to equalize the remedies available under that section and to amend the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 to provide any legal or equitable relief available under title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Equal Remedies Act of 2026''. SEC. 2. EQUALIZATION OF REMEDIES. Section 1977A of the Revised Statutes (42 U.S.C. 1981a) is amended-- (1) by amending (b)(3) to read as follows: ``(3) Losses.--Compensatory damages are available under this section for past and future pecuniary losses, emotional pain, suffering, inconvenience, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, and other non-pecuniary losses.''; and (2) in subsection (c) by striking ``section--'' and all that follows through the period at the end, and inserting ``section, any party may demand a jury trial.''. SEC. 3. COMPENSATORY AND PUNITIVE DAMAGES AVAILABLE FOR AGE DISCRIMINATION. Section 7(b) of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (29 U.S.C. 626(b)) is amended-- (1) by striking ``The'' and all that follows through the 3d sentence and inserting the following: ``Except as otherwise provided in another subsection of this section, or section 9 of this Act, the powers, remedies, and procedures set forth in sections 705, 706, 707, 709, and 710 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000e-4, 2000e-5, 2000e-6, 2000e-8, and 2000e-9) shall be the powers, remedies, and procedures this Act provides to the Commission, to the Attorney General, or to any person alleging discrimination on the basis of age in violation of sections 4 and 15 of this Act, or regulations promulgated under section 9 of this Act.''; and (2) in the 4th sentence by striking ``or enforcing the liability for amounts deemed to be unpaid minimum wages or unpaid overtime compensation under this section'' and inserting ``and including any type of legal or equitable relief available under title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000e et seq.)''. <all>

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