Ensuring Equal Pay for Equal Work

January 22, 2009 - Democratic Senators joined Lilly Ledbetter and Marcia Greenberger, founder and co-President of the National Women’s Law Center, at a press conference today to discuss the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. Senate Democrats are working to provide equal pay for equal work, and the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act ensures all Americans are paid the same wage regardless of their age, gender, race or ethnicity.

“We are here today to give the nation a wake-up call! Wage discrimination still exists because there are loopholes in our federal laws. We want to close the loopholes,” said Mikulski. “Change in the federal law books means change in women’s checkbooks. We need to pass the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. It's time for a new American revolution - we need to put on our lipstick, square our shoulders and fight together!” Said Murray: “The Senate has a proud history of working across the aisle to pass civil rights laws. And I’m proud that because of those laws my daughter now has the right to work in the same jobs – and achieve the same success – as my son. But we haven’t eliminated unfairness in the workplace. I believe we should all fight long and hard whenever Americans are denied the ability to fight their rights. And that’s why we’re here today.” Said Ledbetter: “Women from all over the country have told me how they are paid less for doing the same job as their male colleagues – and now there’s nothing they can do. Congress has the opportunity to restore the promise that the Supreme Court broke in my case and to protect women from pay discrimination by enacting the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act.” Senate Democrats will act quickly to give workers the means to protect themselves from pay discrimination. To read more on how Democrats will be working to revive our economy, homeowners and consumers, make America more energy independent, strengthen our national security, and improve health care and educational opportunities for all Americans go here.

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