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H.R. 2128 104th Congress House

Equal Opportunity Act of 1995

Official title: To prohibit discrimination and preferential treatment on the basis of race, color, national origin, or sex with respect to Federal employment, contracts, and programs, and for other purposes.

Introduced: July 27, 1995 See on congress.gov
Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues Administrative procedureCongressCongressional reporting requirementsConsent decrees
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
Discrimination in employmentFederal employeesGovernment Operations and PoliticsGovernment contractorsInjunctionsLabor and EmploymentLawLegal feesMinoritiesRacial discriminationReverse discrimination in employmentSex discrimination in employmentWomen
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This bill died when the 104th Congress ended
It never became law before the 104th Congress (1995–1996) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 10 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
May 16, 1996
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H5282-5285)
Mar 7, 1996
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 8 - 5.
Mar 7, 1996
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Feb 29, 1996
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Dec 7, 1995
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Oct 2, 1995
Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution.
Aug 11, 1995
Referred to the Subcommittee on Employer-Employee Relations.
Aug 2, 1995
Referred to the Subcommittee on Civil Service.
Jul 27, 1995
Introduced in House
Jul 27, 1995
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Economic and Educational Opportunities, Government Reform and Oversight, and House Oversight, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
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 Latest action May 16, 1996

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H5282-5285)

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Equal Opportunity Act of 1995 - Prohibits discrimination or preferences in Federal employment and contracting on the basis of race, color, national origin, or sex, or entering into a consent decree requiring, authorizing, or permitting any such discrimination or preference.

Prohibits construing this Act to prohibit or limit: (1) employment recruiting or encouraging contract bidding or requiring or encouraging Federal contractors to so recruit or encourage, if the recruiting or encouraging does not involve a numerical objective or otherwise granting a preference; (2) any act designed to benefit historically Black colleges or universities; (3) any action under a Federal law or treaty relating to the Indian tribes; or (4) classifications based on sex if sex is a bona fide occupational qualification reasonably necessary to the normal operation of the Government, contractor, or subcontractor, the classification is designed to protect privacy, a U.S. national security interest is involved, or the classification is applied regarding an armed forces member on active duty in a theatre of combat operations.

Allows as remedies only injunctive or equitable relief (including back pay), attorney's fees, and costs.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • S 1085 Identical bill Equal Opportunity Act of 1995
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 7
 Cosponsors 9
All 9 Republican 4
CRANE, PHILIP
· Feb 29, 1996
 R
Calvert, Ken
California · Jan 23, 1996
BEREUTER, DOUGLAS
· Sep 28, 1995
BALLENGER, CASS
· Jul 27, 1995
COMBEST, LARRY
· Jul 27, 1995
GOSS, PORTER
· Jul 27, 1995
 R
Graham, Lindsey
South Carolina · Jul 27, 1995
 R
Smith, Christopher H.
New Jersey · Jul 27, 1995
 R
Wicker, Roger F.
Mississippi · Jul 27, 1995
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 2128: Equal Opportunity Act of 1995. 104th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HR-2128/
MLA
"H.R. 2128: Equal Opportunity Act of 1995." 104th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HR-2128/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 2128, 104th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HR-2128/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 2128: Equal Opportunity Act of 1995](https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HR-2128/)
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