Congressional Accountability Act of 1995

Summary

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: General Title II: Extension of Rights and Protections Part A: Employment Discrimination, Family and Medical Leave, Fair Labor Standards, Employee Polygraph Protection, Worker Adjustment and Retraining, Employment and Reemployment of Veterans, and Intimidation Part B: Public Services and Accommodations Under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 Part C: Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 Part D: Labor-Management Relations Part E: General Part F: Study Title III: Office of Compliance Title IV: Administrative and Judicial Dispute-Resolution Procedures Title V: Miscellaneous Provisions Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 - Title I: General - Applies provisions of the following laws to the legislative branch: (1) the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (FLSA); (2) Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; (3) the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA); (4) the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA); (5) the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA); (6) the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSHA); (7) provisions regarding Federal labor-management relations; (8) the Employee Polygraph Protection Act of 1988 (EPPA); (9) the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN); (10) the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; and (11) the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994. Requires the Board of Directors (Board) of the Office of Compliance (established by this Act) to: (1) review provisions of Federal laws and regulations relating to the terms and conditions of employment (including protection from discrimination in personnel actions, occupational health and safety, and family, medical, and other leave) of employees and access to public services and accommodations; and (2) report on December 31, 1996, and biennially thereafter, on whether or to what degree such provisions are applicable or inapplicable to the legislative branch and if inapplicable whether they should be made applicable. Requires each report of a congressional committee accompanying any bill or joint resolution relating to terms and conditions of employment or access to public services or accommodations to: (1) describe the manner in which the provisions of the bill or joint resolution apply to the legislative branch; or (2) if the provisions do not apply, include a statement of the reasons why. Makes it out of order, on the objection of any Member, for the Senate or the House of Representatives to consider such bill or joint resolution if the report of the committee on the measure does not comply with this Act. Allows such requirement to be waived in either House by a majority vote of that House. Title II: Extension of Rights and Protections - Part A: Employment Discrimination, Family and Medical Leave, Fair Labor Standards, Employee Polygraph Protection, Worker Adjustment and Retraining, Employment and Reemployment of Veterans, and Intimidation - Requires all personnel actions affecting covered employees to be made free from any discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability. Defines a "covered employee" as an employee of the House, the Senate, the Capitol Guide Service, the Capitol Police, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the Office of the Architect of the Capitol (AOC), the Office of the Attending Physician, the Office of Compliance, or the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA). Makes available the remedies awarded under the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the ADEA, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the ADA, as appropriate, for discrimination violations affecting covered employees. Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the ADEA to apply their protection and remedies to the Government Printing Office (GPO) and the General Accounting Office (GAO). Extends coverage under the ADA to GPO and GAO. Makes specified remedies and procedures set forth in the Civil Rights Act of 1964 available to any employee of an instrumentality of the Congress who alleges a violation of the rights and protections under the ADA, except that the authorities of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission shall be exercised by the chief official of the instrumentality of the Congress. (Sec. 202) Applies the rights, protections, and remedies of the FMLA, EPPA, WARN (with regard to closures or mass layoffs), and veterans' employment and reemployment rights to covered employees, GAO, and the Library of Congress. Applies the FLSA to covered employees and GPO. Prohibits covered employees from receiving compensatory time in lieu of overtime compensation. Provides that nothing in this Act shall preclude the Capitol Police from using lie detector tests in accordance with prescribed regulations under this Act. (Sec. 207) Makes it unlawful for an employing office to intimidate, take reprisal against, or otherwise discriminate against, any covered employee for opposing any practice made unlawful by this Act, or for initiating proceedings, making charges, or testifying, assisting, or participating in any manner in a hearing or other proceeding under this Act. Provides that the remedy available for such violation shall be such legal or equitable remedy as would be appropriate. Part B: Public Services and Accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 - Applies the rights and protections against discrimination in the provision of public services and accommodations under the ADA to the Senate, the House, congressional and joint committees, the Capitol Guide Service, the Capitol Police, CBO, AOC, the Office of the Attending Physician, the Office, and OTA. Makes available specified remedies awarded under the ADA, as appropriate, except that with respect to any claim of employment discrimination asserted by any covered employee, the exclusive remedy under this title shall apply. Describes procedures to remedy other ADA violations, including filing a charge with the General Counsel of the Office, mediation, and judicial review. Makes specified remedies and procedures under the Civil Rights Act of 1964 available to disabled visitors, guests, or patrons of instrumentalities of the Congress (GAO, GPO, and the Library) who allege violations under ADA provisions described by this part. Part C: Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 - Directs each employing office (including GAO and the Library) and covered employees to comply with OSHA. Requires the remedy for an OSHA violation to be an order to correct the violation. Establishes procedures for such remedies, including granting the General Counsel and the Board certain authorities exercised by the Secretary of Labor under OSHA. Part D: Labor-Management Relations - Applies Federal labor- management relations provisions to employing offices and covered employees. Grants the Board and the General Counsel specified authorities of the Federal Labor Relations Authority to enforce such provisions. Part E: General - Allows the hearing officer, Board, or court, as the case may be, to award attorney's fees, expert witness fees, and other costs as would be appropriate under the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to a covered employee with respect to a claim under this Act or a qualified person with a disability with respect to a claim under the ADA. Prohibits a civil penalty or punitive damages from being awarded with respect to any claim under this Act. Bars persons other than veterans from commencing an administrative or judicial proceeding to seek a remedy for the rights and protections afforded by this Act except as provided in this Act. Provides that only a covered employee who has undertaken and completed the employee counseling and mediation procedures described in this Act may be granted a remedy under Part A of this title. Part F: Study - Directs the Administrative Conference of the United States to study the application of the following laws to GAO, GPO, and the Library of Congress and the regulations and procedures used by such entities to apply and enforce such laws: (1) title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; (2) the ADEA; (3) the ADA; (4) the FMLA; (5) the FLSA; (6) OSHA; (7) the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; (8) Federal labor-management relations provisions; (9) the General Accounting Office Personnel Act of 1980; (10) the EPPA; (11) the WARN; and (12) provisions regarding veterans' employment and reemployment rights. Title III: Office of Compliance - Establishes in the legislative branch an Office of Compliance (Office) to carry out: (1) a program of education for Members of Congress and other employing authorities of the legislative branch respecting the laws made applicable to them; and (2) a program to inform individuals of their rights under such laws. Requires the Board Chair to appoint an Executive Director, a Deputy Executive Director for the Senate, and a Deputy Executive Director for the House of Representatives. (Sec. 304) Sets forth procedures for congressional approval of the Board's regulations required under title II to implement this Act, including regulations on the appropriate application of exemptions under the laws made applicable in such title. (Sec. 305) Authorizes appropriations. Title IV: Administrative and Judicial Dispute-Resolution Procedures - Sets forth procedures for counseling, mediation, election of proceedings, hearings, judicial review of Board decisions and enforcement, civil actions, and judicial review of regulations issued by the Board with respect to consideration of alleged violations of Part A of title II. (Sec. 410) Prohibits judicial review of actions taken pursuant to this Act, except as expressly authorized by this title. (Sec. 415) Authorizes appropriations for the establishment of an account in the Treasury for the Office for payment of awards and settlements under this Act. Prohibits funds in the account from being available for awards and settlements involving GAO, GPO, and the Library. Authorizes appropriations for funds for: (1) administrative, personnel, and similar expenses of employing offices which are needed to comply with this Act; and (2) the correction of OSHA and ADA accommodation and access violations. (Sec. 416) Makes all counseling, mediation, and hearings and deliberations of the Board confidential. Permits the records of hearing officers and the Board to be made public if required for judicial review. Authorizes the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct and the Senate Select Committee on Ethics to have access to hearing records and decisions after the issuance of a final decision on a complaint. Title V: Miscellaneous Provisions - Provides that it shall not be a violation of any provision of Section 201 to consider the party affiliation, domicile, or political compatibility, with respect to employment decisions, of employees who are: (1) on the staff of the House or Senate leadership; (2) on the staff of congressional committees, joint committees, or subcommittees; (3) on the staff of Members of the House or Senators; (4) officers of the House or the Senate or elected or appointed congressional staff; or (5) applicants for any such positions. (Sec. 503) Provides that the Senate Select Committee on Ethics and the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct retain full power with respect to the discipline of Members, officers, and employees for violating rules of the Senate and House on nondiscrimination in employment. (Sec. 505) Requires the Judicial Conference of the United States to report to the Congress on the application to the judicial branch of: (1) the FLSA; (2) title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; (3) the ADA; (4) the ADEA; (5) the FMLA; (6) OSHA; (7) Federal labor- management relations provisions; (8) the EPPA; (9) the WARN; (10) the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; and (11) veterans' employment and reemployment provisions. Requires the report to include any recommendations the Judicial Conference may have for legislation to provide judicial branch employees with the rights, protections, and procedures under such laws, including administrative and judicial relief, that are comparable to those available to legislative branch employees under titles I through IV of this Act. (Sec. 506) Sets forth transitional provisions with respect to certain existing claims.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

1. 4 January 1995

   Introduced

   Introduced in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 1.

   Source: Calendars

2. 4 January 1995

   Introduced

   Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S63-64)

   Source: IntroReferral

3. 4 January 1995

   Introduced

   Introduced in Senate

   Source: IntroReferral

4. 5 January 1995

   Floor

   Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S439-469, S471-478)

   Source: Floor

5. 6 January 1995

   Floor

   Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S529-562)

   Source: Floor

6. 9 January 1995

   Floor

   Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S621-642)

   Source: Floor

7. 10 January 1995

   Floor

   Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S693-727, S730-731)

   Source: Floor

8. 11 January 1995

   Floor

   Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S756-780)

   Source: Floor

9. 11 January 1995

   Vote

   Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with amendments by Yea-Nay Vote. 98-1. Record Vote No: 14.

   Source: Floor

10. 12 January 1995

    Floor

    Senate incorporated this measure in H.R. 1 as an amendment.

    Source: Floor

11. 13 January 1995

    Floor

    Held at the desk.

    Source: Floor

12. 13 January 1995

    Floor

    Received in the House.

    Source: Floor

13. 13 January 1995

    Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

    Source: Floor

14. 17 January 1995

    Floor

    Mr. Thomas moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

    Source: Floor

15. 17 January 1995

    Passed

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

    Source: Floor

16. 17 January 1995

    Vote

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 390 - 0 (Roll no. 16).

    Source: Floor

17. 17 January 1995

    Vote

    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 390 - 0 (Roll no. 16).

    Source: Floor

18. 17 January 1995

    Floor

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H252-274, H285-286)

    Source: Floor

19. 17 January 1995

    Vote

    At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 5, rule I, the chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

    Source: Floor

20. 17 January 1995

    Floor

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate.

    Source: Floor

21. 18 January 1995

    Floor

    Presented to President.

    Source: Floor

22. 18 January 1995

    President

    Presented to President.

    Source: President

23. 23 January 1995

    Became law

    Became Public Law No: 104-1.

    Source: President

24. 23 January 1995

    Became law

    Signed by President.

    Source: BecameLaw

25. 23 January 1995

    President

    Signed by President.

    Source: President

Votes

Versions

• Public Law · 24 January 1995 · Download file
• Enrolled Bill · 17 January 1995 · Download file
• Engrossed in Senate · 11 January 1995 · Download file
• Placed on Calendar Senate · 4 January 1995 · Download file

Documents

10 official files

• Public Law (text)

  Public Law · EN · 24 January 1995

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• Public Law (PDF)

  Public Law · EN · 24 January 1995

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• Enrolled Bill (text)

  Enrolled Bill · EN · 17 January 1995

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• Enrolled Bill (PDF)

  Enrolled Bill · EN · 17 January 1995

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• Engrossed in Senate (text)

  Engrossed in Senate · EN · 11 January 1995

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• Engrossed in Senate (PDF)

  Engrossed in Senate · EN · 11 January 1995

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• Passed Senate amended

  summary · EN · 11 January 1995

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• Placed on Calendar Senate (text)

  Placed on Calendar Senate · EN · 4 January 1995

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• Placed on Calendar Senate (PDF)

  Placed on Calendar Senate · EN · 4 January 1995

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• Introduced in Senate

  summary · EN · 4 January 1995

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Sponsors

• Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Lieberman, Joseph I. [ID-CT] · D · Sponsor
• Sen. Dole, Robert J. [R-KS] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Nickles, Don [R-OK] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Roth Jr., William V. [R-DE] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Glenn, John H., Jr. [D-OH] · D · Sponsor
• Sen. Smith, Bob [R-NH] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Specter, Arlen [R-PA] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Brown, Hank [R-CO] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Inhofe, James M. [R-OK] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Thompson, Fred [R-TN] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Snowe, Olympia J. [R-ME] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Abraham, Spencer [R-MI] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Santorum, Rick [R-PA] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Thomas, Craig [R-WY] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Cohen, William S. [R-ME] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Craig, Larry E. [R-ID] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Boxer, Barbara [D-CA] · D · Sponsor
• Sen. Robb, Charles S. [D-VA] · D · Sponsor
• Sen. Kohl, Herb [D-WI] · D · Sponsor
• Sen. Warner, John [R-VA] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Baucus, Max [D-MT] · D · Sponsor
• Sen. Helms, Jesse [R-NC] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Gregg, Judd [R-NH] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. DeWine, Mike [R-OH] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Campbell, Ben Nighthorse [R-CO] · D · Sponsor
• Sen. Bennett, Robert F. [R-UT] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Mack, Connie, III [R-FL] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Kerrey, J. Robert [D-NE] · D · Sponsor
• Sen. Kassebaum, Nancy Landon [R-KS] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Lott, Trent [R-MS] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Gramm, Phil [R-TX] · R · Cosponsor
• Sen. Hutchison, Kay Bailey [R-TX] · R · Cosponsor
• Sen. Levin, Carl [D-MI] · D · Cosponsor
• Sen. Reid, Harry [D-NV] · D · Cosponsor
• Sen. D'Amato, Alfonse [R-NY] · R · Cosponsor
• Sen. Conrad, Kent [D-ND] · D · Cosponsor
• Sen. Frist, William H. [R-TN] · R · Cosponsor
• Sen. Domenici, Pete V. [R-NM] · R · Cosponsor
• Sen. Wellstone, Paul D. [D-MN] · D · Cosponsor
• · hsju00 · Standing

Related records

• related to → Congressional Accountability Act of 1995
• amends ← To restrict political contributions by lobbyists.
• amends ← To express the sense of the Senate with respect to a timetable for the Senate's prompt consideration of comprehensive gift ban legislation.
• amends ← To restrict the use of campaign funds for personal purposes.
• amends ← To prohibit a request of any current or prospective congressional employee to respond to their views on organizations or policy matters.
• amends ← To reduce the pay of Members of Congress by the same percentage as other spending is reduced in any sequester caused by the failure of Congress to meet budget limitations on spending, or the budget deficit.
• amends ← To provide for the reform of the disclosure of lobbying activities intended to influence the Federal Government and for gift reform.
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