DeLauro, Dodd Call for Action on Equal Pay Legislation

Washington, DC— Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-3) and Senator Chris Dodd celebrated the one-year anniversary of the passage of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act today with Marcia Greenberger, Co-President, National Women's Law Center, and the namesake of the legislation, Lilly Ledbetter.

Via teleconference, Congresswoman DeLauro and Senator Dodd spoke of the successes of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, and the need for further steps to ensure equal pay for equal work.

"It has now been one year since we passed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act out of the House, the first bill signed into law by President Obama. It was a victorious moment for women across the country, but more is needed—to close loopholes, stiffen penalties, protect employers, and provide girls and women with the negotiation skills they need to compete in the workplace," said DeLauro. "I thank Senator Dodd for his tremendous work on these issues and for his continued commitment to the Paycheck Fairness Act. I look forward to working with him and Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee Chairman Tom Harkin as we move towards getting this legislation passed by the Senate."

"Signing the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act was an important first step towards ensuring that men and women are treated equally in the workplace - but it was just that: a first step," said Dodd. "Where the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act was designed to ensure that women have a right to hold their employers accountable for gender discrimination in wages, the Paycheck Fairness Act seeks to ensure that they won't have to. There's never been a better time to stand up for women in Connecticut and around the country, and that's why we're ready to move forward with this critical legislation."