The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission enforces laws prohibiting employment discrimination based on race, color, gender, religion, national origin, age, and disability in the Federal and private sectors.
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) was created by title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000e-4), and became operational July 2, 1965. Laws under the EEOC's enforcement mission include title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000e et
seq.), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (29 U.S.C. 621 et seq.), sections of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 791 et seq.), the Equal Pay Act of 1963 (29 U.S.C. 206), title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.), and sections of the Civil Rights Act of 1991 (105 Stat. 1071).
The EEOC is a bipartisan commission composed of five members appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate, for staggered 5-year terms. The President designates a Chairman and Vice Chairman. In addition to the members of the Commission, the President appoints a General Counsel, with the advice and consent of the Senate, to support the Commission and provide direction, coordination, and supervision of the EEOC's litigation program. The General Counsel serves for a term of 4 years.