WASHINGTON—AARP Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy & Engagement Officer Nancy LeaMond issued the following statement today, responding to the introduction of the Protecting Older Americans Act of 2023:

“AARP thanks Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) for their bipartisan leadership in introducing legislation to protect the legal rights of older Americans who experience age discrimination in the workplace. The bill prohibits forced arbitration, which requires employees to waive their right to sue, participate in a class action lawsuit, or appeal workplace age discrimination claims.

“Older workers who face age discrimination should have the option to have their case heard in court with the legal protections provided under the law. Mandatory and binding arbitration should not be a condition of employment. It forces workers to settle disputes outside of the courts, where they typically have fewer protections. In such cases, employees do not have the procedural protections and enforcement mechanisms available through the Age Discrimination in Employment Act and other federal civil rights laws, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act.”

Today, AARP sent a letter of endorsement for the Protecting Older Americans Act of 2023 to Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC).

# # #

About AARP

AARP is the nation's largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to the more than 100 million Americans 50-plus and their families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also produces the nation's largest circulation publications: AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org/about-aarp/, www.aarp.org/español or follow @AARP, @AARPenEspañol and @AARPadvocates on social media.