Rep. Grijalva Supports Bills to Protect the American Worker

Press Release

Rep. Grijalva Supports Bills to Protect the American Worker

The U.S. House Education and Labor Committee passed three bills this week that would benefit American workers and promote volunteerism. The bills are H.R. 2857 "Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education (GIVE) Act, H.R. 2847 "The Green Jobs Act of 2007", and H.R. 2831 "The Ledbetter Fair Pay Act"

"These pieces of legislation will improve the rights of the American worker, prepare for future employment needs and expand volunteerism in our country," said Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva, a member of the Education and Labor Committee. "The GIVE Act will provide volunteer organizations the resources and support needed to continue serving our communities."

The GIVE Act will strengthen volunteerism by updating and combining the National and Community Service Trust Act of 1997 with the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973. The legislation increases the AmeriCorps Volunteers to 100,000 by 2010. In addition to providing an increased stipend, it expands educational opportunities for youth summer service-learning opportunities, promotes an Alumni Network to have AmeriCorp Alum continue their commitment to service, and strengthens the connection to scientists and engineers. The legislation also provides more resources to the States through competitive set-asides.

The legislation has language that Rep. Grijalva included during committee markup that would utilize retired bilingual educators or retirees to work with non-English speaking seniors to communicate the missions of the Retired and Senior Volunteer program. Programs that are impacted through this Act are Learn and Serve America, AmeriCorps, National Service Trust, National Civilian Community Corps, Volunteer in Service to America Program, Senior Corps, Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, Senior Companions, and Foster Grandparents.

The Green Jobs Act of 2007 authorizes up to $125 million in funding to establish national and state job training programs, administered by the U.S. Department of Labor, to help address job shortages that are impairing growth in green industries, such as energy efficient buildings and construction, renewable electric power, energy efficient vehicles, and biofuels development.

"As we focus on the issue of climate change, the Green Jobs Act will address the employment needs now, rather than shortages in the near future," said Grijalva.

The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act would clarify that every paycheck or other compensation resulting, in whole or in part, from an earlier discriminatory pay decision constitutes a violation of the Civil Rights Act. As long as workers file their charges within 180 days of a discriminatory paycheck, their charges would be considered timely. The legislation would also clarify that, once a worker files a charge, he or she needs not keep filing new charges with each new paycheck. The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act would apply to workers who file claims of discrimination on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, religion, age, or disability.

"All three of these bills combined begin to address many of the needs throughout Southern Arizona" concluded Grijalva. "I am especially proud of the Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which ensures that the civil rights for workers are strengthened, not weakened due to the Supreme Court's May decision."

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