A Compilation of Federal Laws and Executive Orders for Nondiscrimination and Equal Opportunity Programs

A series of executive orders and legislation enacted by Congress required federal departments and agencies to prohibit discrimination in their activities and in the practices of those with whom they deal. The Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Commission has or will assume responsibilities to coordinate EEO programs, to ensure EEO for federal employees, and to enforce the Equal Pay Act and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act.

GAO identified 87 federal laws and executive orders which deal with civil rights and nondiscrimination and classified them in the following eight categories: employment, public services, benefits and facilities (except housing and education), housing, education, credit, public accommodations, voting and jury service, and criminal and general civil remedy. Information presented included: citations of Public Law, Statutes at Large, United States Code, or Federal Register references; brief explanations of these citations; the type of discrimination prohibited; the persons or organizations which are prohibited from practicing discrimination; and the roles of agencies which enforce the laws or executive orders. Total federal expenditures in this area have increased from $375 million to an estimated $467 million between fiscal years 1976 and 1978.