José E. Serrano: “If you hear the opposition to this amendment, you would think that discrimination does not exist in this country any…”

“If you hear the opposition to this amendment, you would think that discrimination does not exist in this country any longer. Oh, how I wish that were the case. Mr. Chairman, I support the amendment. This amendment would strike the harmful EEOC rider which blocks the EEOC from collecting data on the expanded EEO-1 form. This data collection would allow EEOC to better examine pay patterns by industry and/or geographic region and/or employer or establishment, conduct comprehensive statistical analysis, and evaluate the context of the discrimination allegations. {time} 1530 The EEOC will use the data primarily for early assessment of allegations of discrimination based on sex, ethnicity, or race. In short, the newly expanded form will be critical to closing gender and racial wage gaps. Preventing the collection of this information will result in less oversight and more wage discrimination. Mr. Chair, I strongly support the amendment.”