Congressman Cohen, Senator Warren Reintroduce Equal Employment for All Act

WASHINGTON - Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) and Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts are bringing back the Equal Employment for All Act to protect job seekers from unfair discrimination based on their credit ratings. The bill would ensure that job applicants are not forced to disclose their credit history as part of an employer's application process.

The proposal prohibits employers from requesting an applicant's credit history, obtaining a consumer or investigative report, and disqualifying applicants based on a poor credit rating. It also prohibits credit reporting agencies from providing credit reports to employers for use in employment decisions.

"Using a job applicant's credit history to deny employment is not just unfair, it also makes no sense. Credit scores are an inaccurate way to predict future job performance or ability. Using credit scores also disproportionately affects women, minority populations and anyone already struggling financially. We should be making the job application process fairer so people can succeed with good jobs, not adding obstacles to prevent them from being hired," said Congressman Cohen.

"Nobody should be discriminated against and miss out on a job opportunity because of their financial history," said Senator Warren. "While the Trump administration tanks the labor market, our bill prohibits employers from using credit scores in their hiring process so that everyone can have a fair chance."

Following the 2008 financial crisis, millions of Americans confronted job loss, shrinking home prices, and depreciated savings. For too many, the fallout from the crisis also damaged their credit. Poor credit disproportionately impacts women, minorities, and those already facing financial hardships The Equal Employment for All Act will remove this hiring barrier and give people the opportunity to better their financial circumstances and grow local economies across the country.

The legislation is cosponsored by Representatives Danny K. Davis (D-Ill.), Kevin Mullin (D-Calif.), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) and Senators Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Edward Markey (D-Mass.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Bernard Sanders (I-Vt.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.).

The legislation is endorsed by: Americans for Financial Reform, Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, Consumer Action, Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund, National Consumer Law Center (on behalf of low income clients), National Employment Law Project, National Employment Lawyers Association, Unidos, New York Legal Assistance Group, National Black Justice Coalition, Job Opportunity Task Force, Public Citizen, and the National Association of Consumer Advocates.

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