Dems Promise Very Quick Action On Gender Pay Equity
In a conference call with reporters just now, Nancy Pelosi and other House Democrats promised to move tomorrow to pass a piece of legislation that was held up in the last Congress, but now has a very strong chance of winning in the expanded Dem majorities: Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act.
The law would undo a Supreme Court ruling that ruled that a paycheck discrimination filing had to be done within six months of the first unfair check -- even if the victim didn't know about it for years, and was in fact forbidden from knowing about her colleagues' different pay scales. The new law would specifically say that any new discriminatory checks from this point on would be separate discriminatory acts, and make it easier for employees to find out about each others' pay.
The bill passed the House in the last Congress, but came up three Senators short of overcoming a Republican filibuster. Since then, five GOP Senators who voted No have been replaced by Democrats who are sure bets to vote Yes. A vote could happen in the Senate as soon as next week.
In a very funny moment that shows how Democrats are still getting used to the idea of being in power, Rep. George Miller (D-CA) said that Congress will work as quickly as possible to pass the bill "and send it to Senator O-- I love this -- President Obama" to sign into law.
Who doesn't love it? ;)
January 8, 2009 11:17 AM | Reply | Permalink
I have to think the GOP is gnashing their teeth at the great early PR this will give the incoming Obama administration when he wields his signing pen with women beaming behind him ...
January 8, 2009 11:19 AM | Reply | Permalink
Stephen Colbert had a great "The Word" segment on this (1:31 in) and other ramifications of the USSC decision...
January 8, 2009 11:30 AM | Reply | Permalink
Pay equity means jack shit without jobs that pay.
Card check, dammit! Unions - strong, powerful unions - are the key to an economy that values work and allows people to earn a living wage that supports a family.
Restore unions to their proper place in the economy, and pay equity will take care of itself.
January 8, 2009 11:36 AM | Reply | Permalink
I agree completely with your comments, but pro-labor advocates have got to drop the "card check" language. They should be blaring "choice choice choice" in any discussion of EFCA.
The other side has managed to package this entirely as "they want to get rid of the secret ballot", and few people really understand what the real issue is.
I've said this a bunch of times already, but I'm saying it again: labor has done a piss poor public relations job on this. I've had multiple discussion with pro-union people who don't see the need for this legislation. That's the result of bad PR.
January 8, 2009 12:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
Excellent point. "Choice, Choice, Choice" it is. Thanks!
January 8, 2009 1:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Perhaps Congress is starting to understand the problem with judgeships being given to those who cater to the repug political agenda. This is clearly a stab directed to SCOTUS's a$$es to let them know if they're gonna play wordgames with the Congresses intent on laws, then Congress will be
explicit in their rebuttal so there aren't any further misunderstandings. This is going to be fun to watch.
January 8, 2009 12:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
Congress promises immediate action on expanding remedies for violations of civil rights based on gender, race, but gay people are asked to wait years before Congress becomes willing to take up the issue of granting basic civil rights protections to LGBT people? That is basic protection against discrimination in housing and employment and hate crimes legislation, supported by 80% of the American people, not controversial issues like recognizing same-sex relationships.
At least the Republicans are upfront about their bigotry.
January 8, 2009 1:27 PM | Reply | Permalink