04.28.25

Ranking Members Scott, Connolly Demand Answers on Trump’s Attacks on Civil Rights Protections for Workers

“Cuts of this magnitude, combined with the halting of OFCCP’s EO 11246 enforcement activity, will leave workers increasingly vulnerable to discrimination and unfair hiring practices when they pursue work with federal contractors.”

WASHINGTON – Today, Rep. Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), Ranking Member of the Committee on Education and Workforce, and Rep. Gerald E. Connolly (VA-11), Ranking Member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, sent a letter to Catherine Eschbach, Director of the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) regarding the Trump Administration’s drastic cuts to OFCCP staff.  These cuts will leave millions of federal contract workers vulnerable to discrimination in the workplace, and without the resources to advocate for themselves. 

“Americans deserve fairness and respect in any workplace, especially workplaces funded by taxpayer dollars in service to the country, yet these actions undermine equal opportunity for federal contract workers and leave them vulnerable to discrimination,” wrote the Ranking Members.  “To ensure Congress and the American people understand the full impact of the Trump Administration’s actions to dismantle OFCCP, we request information on the Agency’s operations, capacity, and ability to uphold its historic mission to safeguard the rights of workers.”

The OFCCP was established in 1965 shortly following President Lyndon B. Johnson’s issuance of EO 11246, with the aim of protecting federal contract workers, who currently comprise one fifth of the U.S. labor force, from unlawful discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.  On January 21, 2025, President Trump revoked EO 11246, leaving federal contract workers vulnerable to discrimination in the workplace and instructing OFCCP to cease its current work to investigate federal contractors for unfair working practices. 

In accordance with the Committees’ oversight responsibilities, the Ranking Members demanded that Director Eschbach provide Congress, and the American people, vital information regarding pending cases that were abandoned after President Trump rescinded EO 11246, as well as insight into the future of the agency and its ability to protect workers from discrimination with extremely limited staff.

To read the full letter, click here.

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