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house Bill H.R. 653

Do Federal Unpaid Interns Need Protection from Harassment and Discrimination at Work?

Argument in favor

While current anti-discrimination laws protect unpaid federal interns, they aren’t explicitly mentioned in the law. That’s not good enough, as federal interns should know beyond a doubt that they can’t be discriminated against.

Sophia's Opinion
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05/17/2017
Gender identity and sexual orientation need to be added.
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GreenestGeneration's Opinion
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05/17/2017
All people deserve protection from harassment. All people.
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Tara's Opinion
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05/15/2017
In this current atmosphere of rising sexism, it becomes even more important to send a signal to possible predators that interns shall not be discriminated against and intimidated.
Like (74)
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Argument opposed

This legislation would change nothing at all with respect to how anti-discrimination laws protect unpaid federal interns. They’re already protected by those laws and policies, Congress doesn’t need to spend time on this.

Brigette's Opinion
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05/17/2017
Revise this bill to include harassment due to sexual orientation and gender identity. Other than that, i agree
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Linda's Opinion
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05/15/2017
Already covered under other laws. Don't waste time on repeat bill
Like (24)
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operaman's Opinion
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05/16/2017
This is why we have Civil Courts. Apparently, Mr Cummings needs attention.
Like (17)
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bill Progress

  • Not enacted
    The President has not signed this bill
  • The senate has not voted
      senate Committees
      Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
  • The house Passed May 17th, 2017
    Passed by Voice Vote
      house Committees
      Committee on Oversight and Reform
    IntroducedJanuary 24th, 2017
Log in or create an account to see how your Reps voted!

Bill Activity

  • action
    Introduced in House
  • referral
    Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
  • action
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
  • calendar
    Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
  • action
    Reported by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. H. Rept. 115-78.
  • calendar
    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 44.
  • action
    Mr. Russell moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
  • action
    Considered under suspension of the rules.
  • action
    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 653.
  • vote
    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
  • action
    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  • referral
    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

bill Progress

  • Not enacted
    The President has not signed this bill
  • The senate has not voted
      senate Committees
      Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
  • The house Passed May 17th, 2017
    Passed by Voice Vote
      house Committees
      Committee on Oversight and Reform
    IntroducedJanuary 24th, 2017
Log in or create an account to see how your Reps voted!
    Sophia's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    05/17/2017
    Gender identity and sexual orientation need to be added.
    Like (130)
    Follow
    Share
    Brigette's Opinion Against
    ···
    05/17/2017
    Revise this bill to include harassment due to sexual orientation and gender identity. Other than that, i agree
    Like (161)
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    Share
    Rex's Public Comment
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    05/17/2017
    Shouldn't all people, regardless of position, paid or unpaid, be protected from harassment and discrimination? Our government should be the shining example of applying the principles of equality and respect.
    Like (269)
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    GreenestGeneration's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    05/17/2017
    All people deserve protection from harassment. All people.
    Like (127)
    Follow
    Share
    Tara's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    05/15/2017
    In this current atmosphere of rising sexism, it becomes even more important to send a signal to possible predators that interns shall not be discriminated against and intimidated.
    Like (74)
    Follow
    Share
    Matthew's Opinion In Favor
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    05/15/2017
    Again, if congress did not exempt itself from the laws it passes, this would not be an issue.
    Like (64)
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    Nikki's Opinion In Favor
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    05/17/2017
    Duh! How is this even a question?
    Like (31)
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    Caron's Opinion In Favor
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    05/15/2017
    No brainer. Whether paid or not, everyone has the right to be treated fairly in the workplace.
    Like (27)
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    Linda's Opinion Against
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    05/15/2017
    Already covered under other laws. Don't waste time on repeat bill
    Like (24)
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    Rochelle's Opinion In Favor
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    05/17/2017
    In all dealings of the federal government, paid or unpaid, intern, volunteer or paid staff discrimination and harassment are unacceptable.
    Like (20)
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    operaman's Opinion Against
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    05/16/2017
    This is why we have Civil Courts. Apparently, Mr Cummings needs attention.
    Like (17)
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    Ryan's Opinion In Favor
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    05/17/2017
    If you need this law to make you act like a decent person to an intern you're an asshole.
    Like (17)
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    Chasidy's Opinion In Favor
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    05/17/2017
    Why is this even a question?
    Like (15)
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    Franceska 's Opinion In Favor
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    05/15/2017
    Paid or not, everyone has the right to be treated fairly at the workplace.
    Like (14)
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    Susan's Opinion In Favor
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    05/17/2017
    Protection from hassassment should be a given no matter what job
    Like (13)
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    Loraki's Opinion Against
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    05/18/2017
    Countable member Matt R. said: "First of all this is already covered under other laws. Second the real issue I take with bills like this is that we have stretched the definition of harassment to include hearing anything that you don't like. The government really needs to be wary of becoming thought police." I agree with you, Matt! Furthermore, isn't anyone capable of standing up for himself anymore, without Big Brother coming to his rescue?! Have the liberals spawned a generation of weak, timid, overly sensitive, spineless snowflakes?! <smh> For the clueless: there are scores of self-help books on learning to be more ASSERTIVE! That doesn't mean aggressive, which is a common problem with liberals, who don't seem to know the difference. Well, I take that back. Liberals believe it's okay for THEM to be aggressive towards conservatives, but they don't believe it's okay for conservatives to be aggressive towards liberals!
    Like (13)
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    Judith's Opinion In Favor
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    05/18/2017
    This doesn't go far enough. Why are they unpaid? Thats bs. If they are doing work they should be paid. Not harassed.
    Like (12)
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    Laura's Opinion In Favor
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    05/15/2017
    Protections against workplace harassment and discrimination should be extended to everyone everywhere. Period. I would imagine this is at least implied somewhere in the law, but in the current environment of increased sexism, racism, xenophobia and bullying it certainly can't hurt to underscore that all are to be treated fairly regardless of status. I have personally known of situations where an intern was definitely sexually harassed but was afraid to say anything. Others had to step in to deal with the situation because the intern felt so powerless. It can be tough enough being an intern anyway since they are typically the lowest person on the food chain and it all rolls down hill. At the very least they should have the assurance they are protected from harassment or discrimination, which is why I support this bill. An extra layer of protection emphasizing fairness for the vulnerable can't really do any harm.
    Like (11)
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    Cameron's Opinion In Favor
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    05/15/2017
    This seems like an obvious choice. Revenue neutral for anyone that only cares about that? Easy Yea.
    Like (10)
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    Kiera's Opinion In Favor
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    05/17/2017
    This question seems like a joke. Sad that it's only now being addressed.
    Like (9)
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