The Democratic Senate is far from perfect, but when good deeds are done, they should be recognized. The latest happened last night, when the now-even-stronger Democratic majority was able to pass the Lilly Ledbetter Act. Ms. Ledbetter stood up for what was right when she found she was discriminated against because of her gender. Yet justice for her has been blocked by Republicans who claim that legislation to protect Lilly would bring "frivolous lawsuits." Where last year Democrats failed, this year they are succeeding.
From The Washington Post:
The measure, approved 61 to 36, would overturn a Supreme Court decision to make it easier for women to sue employers for pay inequity, regardless of when the discrepancies took place. It may become the first legislation signed by President Obama, who campaigned in favor of it.
The bill, dubbed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, was introduced after a Supreme Court ruling in 2007 rejected a $360,000 award in back pay to Lilly Ledbetter, an Alabama woman who worked for Goodyear Tire and Rubber. Ledbetter had discovered a large gap between her salary and that of her male colleagues, stretching back years.
The discrepancy cost her lost wages and also lowered her retirement earnings because her Social Security and 401(k) contributions were based on her salary. But the court ruled that Ledbetter's case was not allowed under the 1964 Civil Rights Act because the statute of limitations on claims was 180 days after the alleged discrimination took place.
All sixteen women Senators voted for it, including five Republicans as you can see in the breakdown of the vote. Now it is on to the House and quite possibly the first piece of legislation that President Obama signs into law.
There is so much damage to be cleaned up after Bush...making employers treat men and women equally is a damn good start.
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