Bob Casey on Civil Rights

Democratic Sr Senator (PA)

Right ongoing wrongs in college admissions

On the Supreme Court review of race and college admissions, Casey said he hoped the court would not limit efforts to "right ongoing wrongs." Smith said people should be judged by character, not by skin color.

Asked about wage disparities between men and women, Casey noted his support for a bill that would require employers to prove that differences in pay are not gender-related. He also noted he voted for a 2009 law that expands the ability of a worker to sue over pay inequity.

Source: Cumberlink Sentinel on 2012 PA Senate debate , Oct 26, 2012

No constitutional ban on gay marriage; civil unions ok

Q: What about gay marriage?

A: I don’t support gay marriage, but I also don’t support a constitutional amendment banning it. That would be tremendously divisive. However, I do support same sex unions that would give gay couples all the rights, privileges and protections of marriage.

Source: The Philadelphia Jewish Voice , Oct 9, 2005

Supports Defense of Marriage Act, but not Amendment

On the Defense of Marriage Amendment (which would ban same-sex marriage). “I support the Defense of Marriage Act [passed in 1996, it defines marriage as a union of a man and woman] and a number of states have passed similar measures. But to have a great constitutional debate about this issue is completely unnecessary. This is used to divide people and appeal to bigotry.” Source: Gar Joseph, Philadelphia Daily News , Apr 29, 2005

Allow gay couples to adopt & share employment benefits

Q: What is your position on government requiring that benefits be provided to same-sex partners?

A: Employers should be permitted to extend domestic partnership benefits to same-sex couples in committed, long-term relationships.

Q: What is your position on legislation prohibiting homosexual couples from adopting children?

A: Oppose

Source: Archdiocese of Philadelphia survey of Treasurer candidates , Nov 7, 2004

Opposes Legalization of Same-Sex Marriage

Opposes legalization of same-sex marriage Source: Lancaster County Action 2004 Voter Guide Questionnaire , Nov 2, 2004

Increased Penalties for Sexual Orientation Hate Crimes

Supports increased penalties for hate crimes committed because of victim’s sexual orientation Source: Lancaster County Action 2004 Voter Guide Questionnaire , Nov 2, 2004

Committed to Affirmative Action and diverse workforce

Q: What is your level of commitment to minority communities?

A: When people in this state examine my record on commitment to Affirmative Action and commitment to a diverse workforce and a commitment to doing everything possible in the job I have now to bring that about, I think I’ll win that competition easily. In the process of my department shrinking by 80 to 100 people, the percentages of minorities actually increased. Not enough yet, but it increased. We hired, by now, over 200 people, and 20 percent of our new hires were minorities. And our rate of increases in terms of promotions have been higher for minorities and women than they have for the rest of the workforce.

Q: : How do you translate that into encouraging diversity in the workforce for the private sector?

A: A lot of it is leading by example. But we should hold the venture-capital firms accountable for investing in emerging minority-owned firms. That is where you really move the bar.

Source: Interview with Philadelphia City paper , May 15, 2002

ENDA: prohibit employment discrimination for gays.

Casey signed H.R.3017&S.1584

Prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity by covered entities (employers, employment agencies, labor organizations, or joint labor-management committees). Prohibits preferential treatment or quotas. Allows only disparate treatment claims. Prohibits related retaliation.

religious organizations; and
the relationship between the United States and members of the Armed Forces.

Source: Employment Non-Discrimination Act 09-HR3017 on Jun 24, 2009

Prohibit sexual-identity discrimination at schools.

Casey signed Student Non-Discrimination Act

Prohibits public school students from being excluded from participating in, or subject to discrimination under, any federally-assisted educational program on the basis of their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity or that of their associates.
Considers harassment to be a form of discrimination.
Prohibits retaliation against anyone for opposing conduct they reasonably believe to be unlawful under this Act.
Authorizes federal departments and agencies to enforce these prohibitions by cutting off the educational assistance of recipients found to be violating them.
Allows an aggrieved individual to assert a violation of this Act in a judicial proceeding and recover reasonable attorney's fees should they prevail.
Deems a state's receipt of federal educational assistance for a program to constitute a waiver of sovereign immunity for conduct prohibited under this Act regarding such program.

Source: HR.998&S.555 11-S0555 on Mar 10, 2011

Opposes a DOMA amendment.

Casey opposes the CC Voters Guide question on a DOMA amendment

Christian Coalition publishes a number of special voter educational materials including the Christian Coalition Voter Guides, which provide voters with critical information about where candidates stand on important faith and family issues. The Christian Coalition Voters Guide summarizes candidate stances on the following topic: "U.S. Constitutional Amendment to prohibit same sex marriage"

Source: Christian Coalition Voter Guide 12-CC-q3a on Oct 31, 2012

Enforce against wage discrimination based on gender.

Casey co-sponsored Paycheck Fairness Act

Women have entered the workforce in record numbers over the past 50 years.
Despite the enactment of the Equal Pay Act in 1963, many women continue to earn significantly lower pay than men for equal work. These pay disparities exist in both the private and governmental sectors. In many instances, the pay disparities can only be due to continued intentional discrimination or the lingering effects of past discrimination.
The existence of such pay disparities depresses the wages of working families who rely on the wages of all members of the family to make ends meet; and undermines women's retirement security.
Artificial barriers to the elimination of discrimination in the payment of wages on the basis of sex continue to exist decades after the enactment of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938. These barriers have resulted because the Equal Pay Act has not worked as Congress originally intended.
The Department of Labor and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission have important and unique responsibilities to help ensure that women receive equal pay for equal work.
The Department of Labor is responsible for investigating and prosecuting equal pay violations, especially systemic violations, and in enforcing all of its mandates.
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is the primary enforcement agency for claims made under the Equal Pay Act.
With a stronger commitment [to enforcement], increased information on wage data and more effective remedies, women will be better able to recognize and enforce their rights.
Certain employers have already made great strides in eradicating unfair pay disparities in the workplace and their achievements should be recognized.

Source: S.84&H.R.377 13-S0084 on Jan 23, 2013

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Page last updated: Apr 21, 2013