Civil Rights Community Urges Swift Confirmation of Kalpana Kotagal as EEOC Commissioner

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Mattie Goldman, [email protected]

WASHINGTON — Jesselyn McCurdy, executive vice president for government affairs at The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, issued the following statement on the Senate HELP Committee’s vote on the nomination of Kalpana Kotagal to serve as a commissioner of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC):

“Kalpana Kotagal is an exceptionally qualified civil rights lawyer and a champion for our communities, and her experience addressing systemic discrimination makes her an outstanding choice to join the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Her confirmation will alleviate the gridlock that has recently prevented the EEOC from carrying out the full scope of its robust anti-discrimination agenda. It has been almost a year since President Biden nominated Kotagal, a delay that has left the commission unable to move forward on crucial efforts — including combatting sexual harassment, protecting LGBTQ+ workers, and ensuring equal pay for equal work. We urge the Senate to act without delay to confirm Kotagal and allow the EEOC to carry out its mission to enforce civil rights laws in the workplace.

“Kotagal has dedicated her career to helping vulnerable workers — advocating for pregnant workers, representing thousands of women who experienced discrepancies in pay and promotion, and securing support for disabled veterans who faced discrimination in the workplace. Beyond employment, Kotagal’s career has encompassed access to housing and health care, demonstrating her broad commitment to ensuring that all people are treated with dignity. Time is running out for the commission to make progress. We need Kotagal’s expertise on the EEOC now.”

On March 24, The Leadership Conference and the National Women’s Law Center sent a letter signed by 123 national organizations to the Senate HELP Committee in support of Kotagal’s nomination.

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights is a coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 220 national organizations to promote and protect the rights of all persons in the United States. The Leadership Conference works toward an America as good as its ideals. For more information on The Leadership Conference and its member organizations, visit www.civilrights.org.

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