Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


0

Equal Pay Bill Blocked in Senate

Clinton and Obama declare truce to back bill stomped by GOP

Share

(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, 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)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
0 comments
VIEWING:
 
LEAVE A
COMMENT
Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.