October [X], 2014
Dear Senator:
As organizations dedicated to promoting fairness for women and all workers in the
workplace, we write to urge you to support the confirmation of David Lopez as General
Counsel of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and Charlotte
Burrows as EEOC Commissioner. It is imperative that these nominations come to the floor
for a vote as soon as the Senate returns in November and prior to the adjournment of the
113th Congress to ensure the full functioning of the agency. These nominees are wellrespected and experienced champions of civil rights, and their confirmation is critical to the
EEOC’s ability to carry out its vital work.
The EEOC serves a critically important role in ensuring equal opportunity for women
workers in the United States. It is the first place women who have experienced sex
discrimination, including sexual harassment and pay discrimination, must go to pursue
their claims. The agency provides invaluable assistance to workers in filing charges,
investigating claims and mediating and attempting to conciliate the charges that the
agency deems meritorious. The agency also litigates specific charges, authorizes workers to
file complaints in court and participates as amicus curiae in key courts of appeals cases.
David Lopez’s outstanding career in public service makes him exceptionally well-qualified
for reappointment as General Counsel to the EEOC. First sworn in as General Counsel in
2010, he has managed an extremely successful trial program; in fiscal year 2013, the EEOC
won 9 out of 10 of its trials, including major verdicts concerning lactation discrimination
and same-sex sexual harassment. Mr. Lopez is the first EEOC field trial attorney to be
appointed as the agency’s General Counsel and has served at the Commission in various
capacities for the past 20 years. We look forward to Mr. Lopez’s swift reappointment as
General Counsel so that he is able to continue to oversee the Commission’s important
litigation work.
Similarly, Charlotte Burrows, nominee for EEOC Commissioner, has a wealth of experience
that makes her extraordinarily well-suited to be an EEOC Commissioner. Since 2009, she
has served as Associate Deputy Attorney General at the Department of Justice (DOJ),
where her duties have included advising the Deputy Attorney General on employment
discrimination and the Violence Against Women Act. Ms. Burrows previously served as
General Counsel for Civil and Constitutional Rights to Sen. Edward M. Kennedy on the
Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee and as Legal Counsel on the
Senate Judiciary Committee, advising the Senator in hearings and negotiations on
legislation such as the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which Congress ultimately adopted in
2009. Ms. Burrows is also a seasoned trial attorney, with experience as a trial attorney,
special litigation counsel and deputy chief in the Employment Litigation Section of the
DOJ’s Civil Rights Division. Ms. Burrows’ experience and accomplishments assure that she
is well-prepared to perform the duties of an EEOC Commissioner in upholding the law,
1875 connecticut avenue, nw ~ suite 650 ~ washington, dc 20009 ~ phone: 202.986.2600 ~ fax: 202.986.2539
email: [email protected] ~ web: www.nationalpartnership.org
advancing opportunities for employment and assuring employment-related benefits and
rights accrue to women and all protected workers.
We believe it is imperative that Mr. Lopez and Ms. Burrows be confirmed in a timely
manner. Without swift confirmation, the EEOC’s ability to promote equal opportunity and
enforce civil rights laws for U.S. workers, including the more than 75 million women
workers in this country, will be compromised.
We strongly urge a vote on these important nominations during the lame duck session. If
you have any questions, please contact Sarah Fleisch Fink
([email protected]) or Vasu Reddy ([email protected]) at
the National Partnership for Women & Families. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
National Partnership for Women & Families
[National Women’s Law Center]