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H.R. 691 99th Congress House

Congressional and Judicial Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1985

Official title: A bill to amend title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, national origin, or age in … Show full official titleShow less

Official title: A bill to amend title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, national origin, or age in employment in the legislative or judicial branches of the Federal Government, and to establish the Employment Review Board composed of senior Federal judges selected by the Chief Justice of the United States, which shall have authority to adjudicate claims regarding such discrimination.

Introduced: February 21, 1985 See on congress.gov
Government Operations and Politics Civil Rights and LibertiesCivil service employmentCongressional employeesCourts and Civil Procedure
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
Discrimination in employmentFederal employeesFederal employees and officialsHouse of RepresentativesJudicial officersJudicial reviewJudicial review of administrative actsLabor and EmploymentSenate
This bill died when the 99th Congress ended
It never became law before the 99th Congress (1985–1986) 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 7 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Mar 6, 1985
Referred to Subcommittee on Civil and Constitutional Rights.
Mar 4, 1985
Referred to Subcommittee on Employment Opportunities.
Feb 6, 1985
Referred to Subcommittee on Personnel and Police.
Jan 24, 1985
Referred to House Committee on The Judiciary.
Jan 24, 1985
Referred to House Committee on House Administration.
Jan 24, 1985
Referred to House Committee on Education and Labor.
Jan 24, 1985
Introduced in House
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 Latest action March 6, 1985

Referred to Subcommittee on Civil and Constitutional Rights.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Congressional and Judicial Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1985 - Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to require that personnel actions affecting employees or applicants in the legislative and judicial branches of the Government be free from any discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, handicap, or age. Allows Members of Congress to take into consideration an individual's domicile and political affiliation.

Establishes within the judicial branch an Employment Review Board. Provides that members of the board be appointed from the retired judges of the Supreme Court and Courts of Appeals. Authorizes an aggrieved individual to file a written complaint with the Board. Establishes procedures for the Board to investigate, settle, hear, and determine the claims alleged.

Provides that if a violation is found an order for relief may compel the defendant to: (1) employ or reinstate such individual on such terms and conditions as may be appropriate; (2) pay compensatory damages; (3) pay punitive damages; and (4) pay fees and allowances of witnesses and reasonable attorneys' fees.

Authorizes the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit to review, enjoin, set aside, suspend, modify, or enforce orders of the Board.

Requires members of the Board to submit written reports to the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct of the House of Representatives and the Senate Select Committee on Ethics describing complaints during the reporting period involved.

 Committees of jurisdiction 6
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 691: Congressional and Judicial Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1985. 99th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/99-HR-691/
MLA
"H.R. 691: Congressional and Judicial Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1985." 99th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/99-HR-691/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 691, 99th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/99-HR-691/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 691: Congressional and Judicial Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1985](https://openamerica.io/bill/99-HR-691/)
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