The Nation : House Approves Job-Bias Rules for Itself

The House of Representatives, applying some of the rules it writes for the nation to its own affairs, approved a precedent-setting plan to curtail employment discrimination by members of the House and its committees. The special resolution, adopted by a 408-12 vote, applies only to the House and is expected to become a part of the binding rules routinely adopted at the beginning of every Congress. It does not require Senate action or the President’s signature. Under the plan’s provisions, House employees or applicants for House jobs will be able to file complaints of job bias on the basis of race, sex, national origin, religion, handicap or age. However, House members will be permitted to select staff members on the basis of their political affiliation, residence in their state or district and their “life style.”