WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), the highest-ranking Latino in Congress today introduced the Federal Jobs Act that would require the development and implementation of a government-wide initiative to promote, expand, and retain diverse talent across the federal workforce. The bill is cosponsored by Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). Congressman Alcee Hastings (D-Fla.-20) introduced a similar bill in the House of Representatives.
“Diversity and workplace inclusion is much more than a vision statement –especially when it comes to federal agencies,” said Sen. Menendez. “Our Federal Jobs Act strives to make a government by the people and for the people, look more like the people it represents. Increasing diversity in the workplace also creates a culture of inclusion that is reflected in the policies and programs advanced by the federal agencies, giving visibility and a voice to communities that are often left behind.”
The Federal Jobs Act follows in the spirit of President Obama’s 2011 Executive Order by requiring Federal agencies to identify and remove barriers to equal employment opportunity and develop practices to improve the effectiveness of an agency's efforts to recruit, hire, promote, retain, develop, and train a diverse and inclusive workforce. The legislation also requires agencies to publicly report and update its demographic workforce data and progress. This bill also provides a pathway of access to capital for economically and socially disadvantaged businesses by requiring agencies and contractors to report their contracting of minority owned businesses.
The Federal Jobs Act:
Last month, Sen. Menendez, a longtime advocate for greater representation of minorities across every industry and a leading voice in the Senate for diversity and inclusion, requested unanimous consent for the Senate to adopt his S. 360, the Improving Corporate Governance through Diversity Act of 2019, to promote greater transparency and diversity in America’s corporate boards.
The text of the bill can be downloaded here.
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April 22, 2021