The U.S. Department of Commerce will receive $7.9 billion to create and save jobs for American workers as part of the historic economic stimulus bill recently signed by President Barack Obama. "The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is the most sweeping economic recovery package in our history," said President Obama, noting it will create or save 3.3 million jobs over the next two years. "We have begun the essential work of keeping the American Dream alive in our time."
ARRA investments in Commerce agencies, which will be allocated in an open, transparent and timely manner, include funding for business development, innovative research, construction projects, expanding broadband services and other programs that will create jobs in a broad range of occupations and industries.
The Department of Commerce is implementing the Recovery Act through programs within a number of its bureau agencies. Visit these agencies' own Recovery pages for more about their specific efforts:
Notice on Civil Rights Obligations Applicable to the Distribution of Funds under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
Federal Agency Obligations
Federal agencies will shortly begin distributing funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act). They must do so in accordance with all nondiscrimination and equal opportunity statutes, regulations, and Executive Orders that apply to the distribution of funds under the Recovery Act. Agencies that grant funds also must ensure that their recipients and subrecipients comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (prohibiting race, color, and national origin discrimination including language access for limited English proficient persons), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (prohibiting disability discrimination), Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (prohibiting sex discrimination in education and training programs), the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 (prohibiting age discrimination in the provision of services), and a variety of program-specific statutes with nondiscrimination requirements.
Recipient and Subrecipient Obligations
Recipients and subrecipients of Recovery Act funds or other Federal financial assistance must comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and a variety of program-specific statutes with nondiscrimination requirements.
Other civil rights laws may impose additional requirements on recipients and subrecipients. These laws include, but are not limited to, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (prohibiting race, color, national origin, religion, and sex discrimination in employment), the Americans with Disabilities Act (prohibiting disability discrimination in employment and in services provided by State and local governments, businesses, and non-profit agencies), and the Fair Housing Act (prohibiting discriminatory housing practices based upon race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or familial status), as well as any other applicable civil rights laws.
For questions about these civil rights obligations, please contact the Office of Justice Programs, Office for Civil Rights, at 202-307-0690 or e-mail askOCR@ojp.usdoj.gov.