Bill H.R. 7: Paycheck Fairness Act

The purpose of this bill is to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 in order to provide better remedies for individuals who experience discrimination in wages based on their sex. It aims to address the ongoing issue of pay disparities between men and women, particularly women of color, by prohibiting employers from relying on a prospective employee's wage history in making hiring decisions and setting wages.

Key Provisions of the Bill:

• Finds that pay disparities between men and women persist despite existing laws.
• Enhances enforcement of equal pay requirements.
• Establishes training programs on negotiation skills to address pay disparities.
• Collects data on wage disparities by sex, race, and ethnicity.
• Prohibits discrimination against employees who oppose wage discrimination.
• Sets penalties for violations of salary and benefit history disclosure rules.

This bill aims to promote pay equity and fair treatment for all employees regardless of gender, race, or ethnicity.

Explanation of H.R. 8 in Layman's Terms:

This bill, known as the 'Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019,' aims to ensure that individuals who are not allowed to possess firearms are not able to obtain them. It requires a background check for every firearm sale, making it illegal for someone who is not a licensed importer, manufacturer, or dealer to transfer a firearm to another person who is not licensed.

The bill specifies some exceptions to this rule, such as transfers between family members or in cases of imminent harm. It also gives authority to the Attorney General to implement regulations related to background checks and firearm transfers.

Overall, the bill is intended to improve the current background check system in the United States and prevent firearms from ending up in the wrong hands.

Explanation of Bill

This bill, known as the "Keep Families Together Act," aims to limit the separation of families at or near ports of entry in the United States. It prohibits agents or officers from removing a child from their parent or legal guardian unless certain conditions are met, such as a state court decision, determination by child welfare experts, or authorization by higher officials based on specific criteria. The bill also includes provisions for training and guidance for agents and officers to standardize the implementation of these separation rules. It requires regular communication and information sharing with separated families, as well as reporting on instances of family separation.

Raise the Wage Act Summary

This bill, known as the Raise the Wage Act, aims to increase the federal minimum wage over a period of time. The bill outlines specific hourly wage increases starting at $8.40 and reaching $15.00 in six years. It also addresses minimum wages for tipped employees and newly hired employees under the age of 20. The bill provides for a transition to fair wages for individuals with disabilities and prohibits new special certificates for employers. The Act requires the Secretary to publish notices of wage increases and mandates reports on the impact of the wage increases on businesses and workers. Congress is tasked with assessing the findings and making recommendations for potential actions to address any concerns raised by the reports.