The Congressional Accountability Act (CAA) applies several laws that prohibit discrimination against employees or applicants based on certain protected characteristics:
- Section 201(a)(1) of the CAA prohibits discrimination based on an individual’s race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, within the meaning of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
- Section 201(a)(2) of the CAA prohibits age-based discrimination against individuals aged 40 and over, within the meaning of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA).
- Section 201(a)(3) of the CAA prohibits discrimination based on a disability as defined by Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
The Genetic Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA) applies directly to the legislative branch, and prohibits discrimination based on an individual’s genetic information. Section 102(c) of the CAA clarifies that the provisions of the CAA governing violations of the laws applied by section 201(a) apply to violations of GINA as well.