Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA) has introduced the Fair Pay Restoration Act (S 1843), which is companion legislation to the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act (HR 2834) in the House. Both bills would correct the recent Supreme Court decision in Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. In its decision, the Supreme Court greatly limited the ability of many workers to sue for wage discrimination by requiring that discrimination charges must be filed within 180 days of each discriminatory act.
The Senate bill, which has been referred to the Senate Committee on Education, Labor and Pensions, has 24 cosponsors, including two Republicans, Senators Olympia Snowe (ME) and Arlen Specter (PA).
The House bill was reported out of the House Committee on Education and Labor on a straight party-line vote without a single Republicans voting in favor of sending the bill to the floor. A full vote on the House bill is expected shortly.
