Reps. Jackson, Lewis to introduce Civil Rights Act amendment for unemployed

Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Ill.) on Tuesday said he and Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) will introduce legislation amending the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to make it illegal for companies to discriminate against unemployed workers when they hire.

Jackson said on the floor Tuesday morning that an increasing number of press reports say companies are posting employment ads stipulating that no unemployed candidates will be considered for hiring.

"It is reminiscent of a time when signs read, 'Blacks need not apply,' or 'Women need not apply,' " Jackson said. "I think it's high time we fix that. How are the unemployed supposed to find work if they don't even get considered for a job?"

Jackson said amending the Civil Rights Act would not guarantee work for the 13.9 million unemployed Americans, but at least would allow them to compete for jobs.

"I ask each and every member of Congress to stand with me and to say to those 13.9 million Americans who are unemployed: You are not forgotten; your chance has not passed," Jackson said. "We should pass the Civil Rights Act of 2011."