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Equal Pay Bill Blocked in Senate

Clinton and Obama declare truce to back bill stomped by GOP

By Peter Fearon,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 24, 2008 3:34 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama interrupted their rival campaigns yesterday to vote together on a bill that would make it easier for women to sue employers for pay discrimination. But their moment of unity proved fruitless as Senate Republicans blocked the bill, likely killing it for the rest of the year, reports Reuters.

The impetus for the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act was a 5-4 decision by the US Supreme Court that a lawsuit for pay discrimination must be filed within six months of the first alleged offense—which could be long before an employee discovers she has been a victim of discrimination. The bill would have lifted those restrictions.

Barack Obama, speaks with Lilly Ledbetter, on Capitol Hill. Both Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton, left the campaign trail to voteon the Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, named after Lilly Ledbetter.
Barack Obama, speaks with Lilly Ledbetter, on Capitol Hill. Both Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton, left the campaign trail to voteon the Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, named after Lilly Ledbetter.   (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)
Lilly Ledbetter, a factory worker who was paid less than men for 20 years. She is the name behind the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act blocked by Republicans in the Senate.
Lilly Ledbetter, a factory worker who was paid less than men for 20 years. She is the name behind the "Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act" blocked by Republicans in the Senate.   (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Hillary Clinton greets Lilly Ledbetter on Capitol Hill. Both Clinton and Barack Obama left the campaign trail to return to Washington to vote on the Fair Pay Act, named after Lilly Ledbetter.
Hillary Clinton greets Lilly Ledbetter on Capitol Hill. Both Clinton and Barack Obama left the campaign trail to return to Washington to vote on the Fair Pay Act, named after Lilly Ledbetter.   (AP Photo/Lauren Victoria Burke)
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Democrats fall short on pay discrimination
Los Angeles Times

Equal work, unequal pay
US News & World Report

Republican senators block pay discrimination measure
New York Times

 
Barack Obama • Hillary Clinton • Mitch McConnell • Civil Rights Act • US Supreme Court • pay discrimination • Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act • Lilly Ledbetter • Equal Employment Opportunity Commission • equal pay

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