DeLauro Welcomes Passage of Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act

Legislation will restore fair pay laws, help close wage gap

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (Conn. -3) applauded passage of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act (H.R. 11), which will restore the law as it was prior to the Supreme Court's decision. It clarifies that each paycheck resulting from a discriminatory pay decision would constitute a new violation of employment nondiscrimination law. As long as a worker files a charge within 180 days of a discriminatory paycheck, the charge would be considered timely.

The measure, along with the Paycheck Fairness Act, was among the first to be considered by the 111th Congress and reflects the importance of pay equity.

"Equal pay is more than just economics, it about basic fairness," said DeLauro. "Lilly Ledbetter was shortchanged – shortchanged by her employer, the perpetrator of consistent pay discrimination lasting years; and shortchanged again, by the Supreme Court. This ruling essentially left women facing gender discrimination with little remedy.

"While Lilly Ledbetter will not receive the pay she deserves, this Congress is making certain that others do not lose their right to fight pay discrimination."