Equal Remedies Act of 2026
Rep. Bonamici Introduces Equal Remedies Act to Remove Damage Caps in Discrimination Lawsuits
To amend section 1977A of the Revised Statutes of 1977 to equalize the remedies available under that section and to amend the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 to provide any legal or equitable relief available under title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
This bill is currently in the early stages of the legislative process and has been sent to two House committees for review. It is actively moving through the initial steps of consideration, but no future votes or hearings have been scheduled yet.
Legislative Progress
This bill is led by Democrats and faces significant opposition from business groups that generally fight against removing limits on lawsuit payouts. Without Republican support, it is unlikely to pass the current House.
Key Points
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
Life & Work
Small business owners currently benefit from lower damage caps tied to employer size (the current cap for employers with 15-100 employees is $50,000). Removing these caps would expose small employers to potentially much larger damage awards in discrimination lawsuits, increasing their legal and insurance costs. However, small businesses that do not discriminate would see no direct financial impact.
Disabilities
Milestones
Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, 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.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Introduced in House
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Votes
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
News
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Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
To amend section 1977A of the Revised Statutes of 1977 to equalize the remedies available under that section and to amend the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 to provide any legal or equitable relief available under title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Data Sources
Sponsor
Cosponsors
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