Final answer:
True, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is responsible for enforcing federal antidiscrimination laws, specifically those related to employment discrimination. It covers various protected characteristics, including race, sex, age, and more, and has been pivotal in expanding and interpreting protections for different groups over time.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is responsible for enforcing most federal antidiscrimination laws is True. The EEOC was established by the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to investigate employment discrimination and protect workers who file complaints against employers. It is tasked with enforcing federal laws that make it illegal to discriminate against a job applicant or an employee on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age (40 or older), disability, or genetic information. The Supreme Court case Griggs v. Duke Power Co further reinforced the role of the EEOC in preventing discriminatory practices.
For instance, during the administration of Eleanor Holmes Norton as head of the EEOC, the commission played a pivotal role in combating discrimination against women and minorities, setting affirmative action guidelines, and defining sexual harassment as a form of discrimination and a civil rights violation. Moreover, in cases like Macy v. Holder, the EEOC has ruled in favor of protections under Title VII for transgender employees, although there have been variations in interpretations by other federal departments over time.