Press Releases

U.S. Representatives Don Beyer (D-VA), Sylvia Garcia (D-TX), and Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) today introduced legislation to establish an Older Workers’ Bureau within the Department of Labor. The Bureau would be responsible for identifying the challenges faced by workers aged 55 and older, developing policies to improve their employment conditions, and expanding access to employment opportunities.

“Every American deserves the opportunity to succeed at every stage of their career. But as more Americans work into their later years and workplace conditions evolve, a larger share of our workforce faces challenges such as age discrimination and work-limiting health conditions,” said Rep. Don Beyer. “These workers need and deserve coordinated information and support. By establishing an Older Workers’ Bureau, we would provide a central office dedicated to supporting our older workers and ensuring they have the resources they need to be successful.”

“Right now, when we should be growing our workforce, too many older workers are not being considered for jobs, not because they can’t do the job, but because of their age,” said Rep. Sylvia Garcia. “That’s wrong. These workers bring years of experience and perspective. They still have so much more to offer, and they deserve a fair chance to contribute. Congress won’t let this discrimination go unchecked. I’m proud to lead this bipartisan bill to let our seniors know we have their back.”

“Older Americans make up a steadily increasing portion of the workforce,” said Rep. Suzanne Bonamici. “They strive to provide for themselves and their families and also support their local economies. This bill will address the unique needs of workers 55 and older by providing specialized assistance through an Older Workers’ Bureau in the Department of Labor.”

“Older workers play a crucial role in the American workforce. Their experience and dedication are incredibly valuable for employers. But, because ageism is so deeply rooted in our society, many hiring managers do not see past stereotypes and miss out on all the strengths older adults have to offer. At NCOA, we see firsthand the challenges that older adults experience as they navigate the workforce,” said Ramsey Alwin, President and CEO of the National Council on Aging. “They're eager to pick up new skills and keep learning but are frustrated by the lack of opportunity to do so. The current workforce offerings could do more to support older job seekers and workers. We need better ways for all of us as we age to learn new skills and trades. On behalf of the National Council on Aging, I applaud Rep. Beyer for leading the way with the Older Workers’ Bureau Act. This bill would make sure the federal government pays more attention to the challenges and opportunities that come with an aging workforce, and it would encourage state and local innovation to help older workers continue to contribute to productivity.”

Specifically, the Older Workers’ Bureau Act would authorize $10M per year to support the welfare of older workers by:

1. Establishing a data hub and coordinating research related to challenges facing older workers;
2. Developing potential policy solutions to improve employment conditions and opportunities;
3. Providing outreach and education to institutions supporting older workers; and
4. Administering grant programs to expand research into older workers and to combat structural ageism in the workplace.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), of the 5,350,000 workers expected to join the U.S. workforce over the next decade, more than 2 million will be older than 55. The BLS also reports that between 2004 and 2024, the share of workers age 55 and older increased from 16 percent to more than 23 percent.

The Older Workers’ Bureau Act is endorsed by the National Council on Aging and AARP.

Text of the Older Workers’ Bureau Act is available here.