Raskin, Ivey, Blumenthal, Booker, Wyden Introduce Legislation to End Economic Racial Discrimination

This press release from Representative Glenn Ivey (D-MD) was published on 2023-06-15 and titled "Raskin, Ivey, Blumenthal, Booker, Wyden Introduce Legislation to End Economic Racial Discrimination". It focuses on foreign policy and touches on trade policy, civil rights.

Raskin, Ivey, Blumenthal, Booker, Wyden Introduce Legislation to End Economic Racial Discrimination Raskin, Ivey, Blumenthal, Booker, Wyden Introduce Legislation to End Economic Racial Discrimination andrew.w.thoma… Thu, 06/15/2023 - 16:07 Image WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today Congressman Jamie Raskin (D-MD) and Congressman Glenn Ivey (D-MD), along with Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), introduced the Economic Inclusion Civil Rights Act, legislation to protect individuals from racial discrimination and foster economic inclusion. The Economic Inclusion Civil Rights Act restores and strengthens Section 1981 of the Civil Rights Act of 1866, addressing the erosion of Section 1981's original guarantees by adopting a motivation test, allowing for disparate impact claims, and expanding protection to a broader array of economic activity. “The Economic Inclusion Civil Rights Act is a crucial step toward ending racial discrimination and forging a democratic society that acts in service to the needs of our people,” said Congressman Raskin . “De Tocqueville taught us that a democracy is either always growing or shrinking, and for decades we’ve witnessed attempts by an increasingly authoritarian Supreme Court to shrink the scope of the Civil Rights Act and circumscribe the gains of the Civil Rights Movement. It’s time to get our democracy back on the growth track and provide firm protections against discriminatory practices in economic life, ensuring that people of color live free from economic discrimination. I’m grateful to Congressman Ivey, Senator Blumenthal and Senator Booker for their support of this critical legislation.” “The Economic Inclusion Civil Rights Act will help restore the unrealized promise of an economy in which all Americans have full, equal opportunity, free from racial discrimination,” said Senator Blumenthal . “In the wake of the Civil War, Congress passed the Civil Rights Act of 1866 to guarantee that all Americans had the same rights to enter into contracts – but decades of bad court decisions have blocked Black Americans and other racial minorities from relying on this law to hold companies accountable for violations of their civil rights.” “America should be strengthening laws that protect the civil rights of Black Americans and people of color and support economic justice. Yet, the Supreme Court has chipped away at Section 1981, a pillar in the fight against racial discrimination and expanding economic opportunities,” Senator Wyden said. “Congress must right this wrong and do more to address the serious economic inequities that persist in America and make sure that every American has equal opportunity.” “Over 155 years ago, Congress enacted Section 1981 to guarantee equal treatment for Black Americans and other communities of color in our economy. However, the Supreme Court’s decades-long pattern of systemically striking down its critical protections has left the law’s promise unfulfilled today,” said Senator Booker . “The Economic Inclusion Civil Rights Act would be an important step toward restoring these protections and addressing the systemic racial discrimination in our nation’s economy. We must ensure that all Americans are afforded the same opportunities to thrive.” “I am proud to support the reintroduction of the Economic Inclusion Civil Rights Act. Economic empowerment and opportunity for historically underserved communities is vital to generational wealth. Economic inclusion is a civil right. I commend the leadership of Rep. Raskin, Senators Blumenthal, Wyden, Booker and others to bring this measure the extra yard towards our ultimate goal of equity, fairness and justice in business and all