DeLauro on Anniversary of Ledbetter Fair Pay Act Being Signed into Law

Washington, DC— Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) released the following statement today in recognition of the one-year anniversary of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act being signed into law.

After working at the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, Lilly Ledbetter sued the company when she learned that she was paid less than her male counterparts, and won. However, the Supreme Court reversed the decision, claiming that she had waited too long to sue for pay discrimination. The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act restores employees' rights to challenge pay discrimination.

Despite the passage of this legislation, women in America still only make 78 cents on the dollar as compared to men, which can result in an estimated loss of up to $2 million over the course of their lifetime. A bill passed by the House of Representatives, the Paycheck Fairness Act, addresses the shortcomings of the current legislation and will close loopholes, stiffen penalties, protect employers, and provide training programs for girls and women to learn the skills they need to negotiate their salaries.

"Today we celebrate the passage of the Lilly Ledbetter Act and with that, the story of a great woman and her ongoing fight for equal pay for equal work. The enactment of this important legislation was an essential step toward rectifying continuing pay discrimination in America. But it was only a first step. The work is not done – women continue to be shortchanged. We need to fix the Equal Pay Act of 1963 and give women a fighting chance – especially when we are talking about economic security for more than 50% of all workers in our country. We need the Senate to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act and give them, their families and our entire economy the tools to recover and thrive."