Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act One Step Closer to Becoming Law

by Mike Hall, Jan 23, 2009

Last night after the Senate passed (61-36) the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Act, overturning the 2007 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that denied justice to Ledbetter—and any worker who suffers pay discrimination—Ledbetter told reporters:

When you win a battle, you’ve sometimes lost battles along the way. We knew we would get here. When right is right, it usually has a way of working out.

Ledbetter thought she had won her battle several years ago when a federal jury found she had been the victim of pay discrimination for nearly 20 years at an Alabama Goodyear tire plant where she was paid less than the men doing the same work.

But the Supreme Court ruled Ledbetter—and other workers—has no right to sue for a remedy in cases of pay discrimination if she—or any worker—waits more than 180 days after the first paycheck, even if she—or any worker—doesn’t discover the pay discrimination until years later, as was the case with Ledbetter.

The U.S. House, which passed a similar measure Jan. 9, is expected to soon approve the Senate bill and President Barack Obama has promised to sign the bill. Former President George W. Bush vowed to veto the legislation if it ever reached his desk. Says Debra L. Ness, president National Partnership for Women & Families:

This is the best evidence yet that a new era has dawned, and the lawmakers holding office today will support fair pay.

Last night, Republican leaders—who last year led a successful filibuster against the bill—proposed eight amendments to weaken the legislation. All were easily defeated. Five Republican senators—Kay Bailey Hutchison (Texas), Olympia Snowe (Maine), Susan Collins (Maine), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) and Arlen Specter (Pa.) joined all Democrats on final passage.

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