Bill Restores Protections Against Pay Discrimination for American Workers

Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Joe Baca (D-Rialto) joined a bipartisan majority in the House of Representatives to pass legislation that will stop employers from escaping responsibility when it is found they committed pay discrimination against employees based on gender, ethnicity, or religion.  S. 181, the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, passed the House of Representatives with a 250 – 177 vote.    

“I am proud to support the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which restores the original intent of the Civil Rights Act as it pertains to discriminatory pay practices,” commented Rep. Baca.  “This issue is as simple as it gets.  It is our moral obligation to stop discrimination of any kind when we see it taking place, and today’s bill moves us one step closer to achieving this goal.” 

The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act restores critical protections against pay discrimination for women and other workers.  It rectifies a May 2007 Supreme Court decision that overturned longstanding precedent and made it much more difficult for workers to pursue pay discrimination claims.  The legislation clarifies that as long as a worker files a charge within 180 days of a discriminatory paycheck, the charge will be considered timely, and cannot be thrown out by a court.

Lilly Ledbetter worked for nearly two decades at a Goodyear Tire and Rubber facility in Alabama.  She sued the company after learning that she was the lowest-paid supervisor at the plant, despite having more experience than several of her male counterparts.  A jury found that her employer had unlawfully discriminated against her on the basis of sex.  However, the Supreme Court said that Ledbetter had waited too long to sue for pay discrimination, despite the fact that she filed a charge with the U.S. Equal Opportunity Commission as soon as she received an anonymous note alerting her to pay discrimination.

Earlier, the House passed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act on January 9, 2009.  Last week, the Senate passed an amended version of the House’s bill.  With the House passage of the final bill today, the legislation will no go to President Obama’s desk for his signature into law.

“In these difficult economic times, it is more critical than ever that we protect the rights of workers,” concluded Rep. Baca.  “Congress is committed to rebuilding our economy and strengthening our middle class. This legislation is a critical start.”