Congressman Cohen's Statement on Equal Pay Day

Last July, the House of Representatives passed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which I proudly cosponsored and spoke in support of on the House floor. It is to be considered in the Senate tomorrow. The Act restores basic protections against pay discrimination and rectifies a May 2007 Supreme Court decision in the case of Ledbetter v. Goodyear that overturned longstanding precedents regarding pay discrimination claims. The Supreme Court, in a 5-4 decision, ruled that a worker must file charges of pay discrimination within 180 days of an employer’s discriminatory infraction. This is an unrealistic burden on employees as it requires them to know what their coworkers are being paid.

I am also cosponsoring the Paycheck Fairness Act, which would strengthen provisions of the original Equal Pay Act of 1963 to provide more effective remedies to women that are treated unfairly in the workplace. I’m optimistic that this bill will pass the House within the next few months.

I will continue to fight to ensure that women receive equal pay for equal work. Eliminating income disparities among men and women doing equal work is a common-sense issue that affects all working women and their families. By eradicating unfair treatment in the labor market, we can help families gain the resources they need to ensure that their children have access to a better future in the 21st century.”

You may view Congressman Cohen’s speech in support of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act from July 30, 2007, HERE.

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Marilyn Dillihay, Press Secretary, 202-225-3265
Charlie Gerber, Communications Assistant, 202-225-3265