Reps in Action: Feb. 3, 2020

Stefanik votes for legislation to protect older workers

WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Jan. 15, North Country Congresswoman Elise Stefanik joined fellow House members in voting to pass the Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination (POWADA) Act. 

According to a press release, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) was enacted to prohibit discrimination against older workers.

However, a 2009 Supreme Court decision in Gross v. FBL Financial Services weakened federal protections and made it harder for workers to prove age discrimination.

The POWADA Act would amend the ADEA "to clarify that proven age discrimination may not play any role in employment decisions."

"With one of the largest constituencies of seniors in the country, I have heard directly from my constituents who have been affected by age discrimination in the workplace," Stefanik said in a statement.

"This bill levels the playing field for older workers by restoring the pre-2009 standards for age discrimination claims, giving our North Country seniors a fair chance and encouraging equal and ethical workplace behavior."

New York reps send letter to President Trump

WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Jan. 17, North Country Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-Schuylerville), Rep. Anthony Brindisi (D-Utica) and Sen. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) sent a letter to President Donald Trump urging him to accept New York state's request for individual assistance following the devastating Halloween storm that ravaged upstate communities.

While New York received a major disaster declaration and approval for public assistance, the request for assistance to individuals in Essex, Hamilton, Herkimer and Oneida counties was denied.

"We are grateful for the federal support afforded in the wake of this disaster to New York thus far, which will assist greatly with the cleanup and remediation of the area," the members wrote.

"However, we urge the administration to expeditiously approve New York’s request for individual assistance programs within the four aforementioned counties.

Federal support is necessary to protect public health and safety and provide relief, like housing assistance, disaster unemployment assistance and crisis counseling, to individuals whose homes were destroyed in this disaster.”