Official Bill Info

• Latest Action: Mar 06, 2009 Referred to the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections.

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  I know the most recent action for this bill is as follows: "Referred to the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections." on Mar 06, 2009
• Committee Assignment: House Education and Labor

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  This bill has been assigned to the House Education and Labor committee.
• Committee Assignment: House Education and Labor - Workforce Protections

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  This bill has been assigned to the House Education and Labor - Workforce Protections committee.
This bill's most-recent vote occurred on January 09, 2009, with a roll call of 256 ayes, 163 nays, and 14 not voting.
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This bill's most-recent vote occurred on January 09, 2009, with a roll call of 256 ayes, 163 nays, and 14 not voting.

Bill Statistics on OpenCongress

Contribution Data

Supporting Organizations

• National Organization for Women

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  I know that the organization National Organization for Women supports H.R.12
• National Education Association

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  I know that the organization National Education Association supports H.R.12
• Wider Opportunities for Women

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  I know that the organization Wider Opportunities for Women supports H.R.12
• National Women's Law Center

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  I know that the organization National Women's Law Center supports H.R.12
• National Committee on Pay Equity

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  I know that the organization National Committee on Pay Equity supports H.R.12
• Equal Rights Advocates

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  I know that the organization Equal Rights Advocates supports H.R.12
• American Association of University Women

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  I know that the organization American Association of University Women supports H.R.12
• Coalition of Labor Union Women

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  I know that the organization Coalition of Labor Union Women supports H.R.12
• American Civil Liberties Union

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  I know that the organization American Civil Liberties Union supports H.R.12

Opposing Organizations

• Society for Human Resource Management

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  I know that the organization Society for Human Resource Management opposes H.R.12
• American Bakers Association

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  I know that the organization American Bakers Association opposes H.R.12
• American Hotel and Lodging Association

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  I know that the organization American Hotel and Lodging Association opposes H.R.12
• U.S. Chamber of Commerce

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  I know that the organization U.S. Chamber of Commerce opposes H.R.12
• National Association of Manufacturers

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  I know that the organization National Association of Manufacturers opposes H.R.12

Most-commented sections of the bill text

• (2) by striking ‘any other factor other than sex’ and inserting ‘a bona fide factor other than sex, such as education, training, or experience’; and (1 comments, Link )

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  specifically, this section of the legislation: "(2) by striking ‘any other factor other than sex’ and inserting ‘a bona fide factor other than sex, such as education, training, or experience’; and",
• ‘(B) The bona fide factor defense described in subparagraph (A)(iv) shall apply only if the employer demonstrates that such factor (i) is not based upon or derived from a sex-based differential in compensation; (ii) is job-related with respect to the position in question; and (iii) is consistent with business necessity. Such defense shall not apply where the employee demonstrates that an alternative employment practice exists that would serve the same business purpose without producing such differential and that the employer has refused to adopt such alternative practice. (1 comments, Link )

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  specifically, this section of the legislation: "‘(B) The bona fide factor defense described in subparagraph (A)(iv) shall apply only if the employer demonstrates that such factor (i) is not based upon or derived from a sex-based differential in compensation; (ii) is job-related with respect to the position in question; and (iii) is consistent with business necessity. Such defense shall not apply where the employee demonstrates that an alternative employment practice exists that would serve the same business purpose without producing such differential and that the employer has refused to adopt such alternative practice.",

Highest Rated User Comments

• On January 13, 2009, by zio56 - At a time when more than 11 million Americans are unemployed, the highest unemployment rate in sixteen years, this bill exposes large and small companies to vast new liabilities extending back decades. What our economy needs now is for businesses to hire more workers in America, but they are not going to do that if it means exposing themselves to expensive and frivolous litigation. The only things these two bills will stimulate are more litigation and a further exodus of jobs out of the United States.

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  As noted by zio56, a user on OpenCongress.org, on January 13, 2009, "At a time when more than 11 million Americans are unemployed, the highest unemployment rate in sixteen years, this bill exposes large and small companies to vast new liabilities extending back decades. What our economy needs now is for businesses to hire more workers in America, but they are not going to do that if it means exposing themselves to expensive and frivolous litigation. The only things these two bills will stimulate are more litigation and a further exodus of jobs out of the United States. "
• On January 12, 2009, by pegwinn - I already don't like it. Introduction and voting within 72 hours? The text of the bill isn't here or at Thomas yet. I wonder what kind of pork is getting slid in.

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  As noted by pegwinn, a user on OpenCongress.org, on January 12, 2009, "I already don't like it. Introduction and voting within 72 hours? The text of the bill isn't here or at Thomas yet. I wonder what kind of pork is getting slid in."
• On January 13, 2009, by Anonymous - I was glad to see this bill passed in the House. There's another bill that just passed in the House, Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009, that would penalize companies per paycheck that the discrimination occurs. Being a single woman and a person who was for years discriminated against for her gender in the business world, it's about time and long in coming. As for opening up law suits and hurting companies, companies should be doing ethical business practices and if they are not, then I'd love to see them fall. They deserve it. They have no one to blame except themselves. There's nothing worse than sitting in the Presidents office and told "You will never make as much as a man does in my company, no woman will!" I was fired two days later because I filed a complaint. I was unable to pursue it back in the 1980's without getting my own attorney and paying out of pocket for one so I had no recourse and looked for another job to only have it happen time and time again being paid less than a man. I learned to keep my mouth shut if I wanted to keep my job. Another protection this bill can offer is to protect transgendered people who are constantly discriminated against and who usually cannot find employment. Let's face it, people are either good workers or not and it really doesn't matter what gender they are and their gender should never be a factor in deciding pay or benefits either.

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  As noted by Anonymous, a user on OpenCongress.org, on January 13, 2009, "I was glad to see this bill passed in the House. There's another bill that just passed in the House, Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009, that would penalize companies per paycheck that the discrimination occurs. Being a single woman and a person who was for years discriminated against for her gender in the business world, it's about time and long in coming. As for opening up law suits and hurting companies, companies should be doing ethical business practices and if they are not, then I'd love to see them fall. They deserve it. They have no one to blame except themselves. There's nothing worse than sitting in the Presidents office and told "You will never make as much as a man does in my company, no woman will!" I was fired two days later because I filed a complaint. I was unable to pursue it back in the 1980's without getting my own attorney and paying out of pocket for one so I had no recourse and looked for another job to only have it happen time and time again being paid less than a man. I learned to keep my mouth shut if I wanted to keep my job. Another protection this bill can offer is to protect transgendered people who are constantly discriminated against and who usually cannot find employment. Let's face it, people are either good workers or not and it really doesn't matter what gender they are and their gender should never be a factor in deciding pay or benefits either. "

Highly Rated Blog Articles

• HR12: To provide tax relief for American workers ... - OpenCongress - September 21, 2011 by opencongress.org - Or, if you know of a news article about this bill to display here, email us the web address of this page and the web address of your suggested news article: Our editorial team will post relevant links as quickly as possible. ...

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  As noted by opencongress.org on September 21, 2011, "Or, if you know of a news article about this bill to display here, email us the web address of this page and the web address of your suggested news article: Our editorial team will post relevant links as quickly as possible. ..." (http://www.opencongress.org/bill/112-h12/show)
• House Roll Call #12 Details - OpenCongress - January 17, 2011 by opencongress.org - Back to Main Bill Page. January 18, 2011 Roll call number 12 in the House. Question On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended: H R 292 Stop the OverPrinting (STOP) Act. Ayes: 399 (Democrat: 165; Republican: 234) ... -

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  As noted by opencongress.org on January 17, 2011, "Back to Main Bill Page. January 18, 2011 Roll call number 12 in the House. Question On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended: H R 292 Stop the OverPrinting (STOP) Act. Ayes: 399 (Democrat: 165; Republican: 234) ... - " (http://www.opencongress.org/vote/2011/h/12)
• H.R.68: To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit ... - January 05, 2011 by opencongress.org - 14-9, 2.94 ERA, 27 GS, 162 IP, 126 H, 12 HR, 68 BB, 132 K, 1.198 WHIP, 7.0 H/9, 3.8 BB/9, 7.3 K/9. Hellickson: 9-2, 2.45 ERA, 20 GS, 114 IP, 72 H, 8 HR, 29 BB, 132 K, 0.886 WHIP, 5.7 H/9, 2.3 BB/9, 10.4 K/9 ... Source: Jared Macdonald ... Included in the G

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  As noted by opencongress.org on January 05, 2011, "14-9, 2.94 ERA, 27 GS, 162 IP, 126 H, 12 HR, 68 BB, 132 K, 1.198 WHIP, 7.0 H/9, 3.8 BB/9, 7.3 K/9. Hellickson: 9-2, 2.45 ERA, 20 GS, 114 IP, 72 H, 8 HR, 29 BB, 132 K, 0.886 WHIP, 5.7 H/9, 2.3 BB/9, 10.4 K/9 ... Source: Jared Macdonald ... Included in the G" (http://www.opencongress.org/bill/112-h68/show)

Highly Rated News Articles

• LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: FAIR PAY - January 25, 2009 by Helicopter Association International, VA - As previously reported on HAI’s RotorNews, the House combined their version, HR11, with HR 12, the Paycheck Fairness bill, upon passage. ...

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  As noted by Helicopter Association International, VA on January 25, 2009, "As previously reported on HAI’s RotorNews, the House combined their version, HR11, with HR 12, the Paycheck Fairness bill, upon passage. ..." (http://www.rotor.com/Default.aspx?tabid=510&newsid905=60538)
• Republicans Attempt Loyal Opposition in Congress - January 24, 2009 by 411mania.com, TX - Plus, to add insult to injury, the House also passed HR 12, the "Paycheck Fairness Act", which would ensure fair and equal pay based on gender, ...

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  As noted by 411mania.com, TX on January 24, 2009, "Plus, to add insult to injury, the House also passed HR 12, the "Paycheck Fairness Act", which would ensure fair and equal pay based on gender, ..." (http://www.411mania.com/politics/columns/95277/Republicans-Attempt-Loyal-Opposition-in-Congress.htm)
• LEGISLATIVE WATCH: Congress - January 21, 2009 by Rochester City Newspaper, NY - The Paycheck Fairness Act (HR 12/S.182) addresses pay discrimination based on a person's sex. The bill passed the House and is under consideration by the ...

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  As noted by Rochester City Newspaper, NY on January 21, 2009, "The Paycheck Fairness Act (HR 12/S.182) addresses pay discrimination based on a person's sex. The bill passed the House and is under consideration by the ..." (http://rochestercitynewspaper.com/news/articles/2009/01/LEGISLATIVE-WATCH-Congress/)