Official Bill Info

• Latest Action: Jan 29, 2009 Signed by President.

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This bill's most-recent vote occurred on January 27, 2009, with a roll call of 250 ayes, 177 nays, and 6 not voting.
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This bill's most-recent vote occurred on January 27, 2009, with a roll call of 250 ayes, 177 nays, and 6 not voting.

Bill Statistics on OpenCongress

Contribution Data

OpenCongress Bill Summary

• While dropped by the 110th Congress, this bill was passed into law within about 20 days of being introduced again in 2009. The bill resets the statute of limitations for pay-related discrimination cases such that an employee has 180 days to file a formal complaint of discrimination after receiving each pay-check, rather than only after the initial instance of pay discrimination.

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  Here's a summary from OpenCongress.org: While dropped by the 110th Congress, this bill was passed into law within about 20 days of being introduced again in 2009. The bill resets the statute of limitations for pay-related discrimination cases such that an employee has 180 days to file a formal complaint of discrimination after receiving each pay-check, rather than only after the initial instance of pay discrimination.

Supporting Organizations

• American Civil Liberties Union

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• American Association of University Women

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• Moms Rising

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• National Employment Lawyers Association

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• People For the American Way

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• National Network to End Domestic Violence

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• National Organization for Women

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• Alliance for Justice

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• Leadership Conference on Civil Rights

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• National Education Association

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• National Partnership for Women and Families

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• Coalition of Labor Union Women

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• National Women's Law Center

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• Women's Voices. Women Vote Action Fund

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• Center for Inquiry - Washington DC

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• AFL-CIO

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• Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism

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• American Library Association

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• American Federation of Teachers

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• Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law

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• Hadassah

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• Legal Momentum

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• American Rights at Work

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• 21st Century Democrats

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• American Association of Retired Persons

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• 9to5, National Association of Working Women

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Opposing Organizations

• Associated Builders and Contractors

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• American Housing & Lodging Association

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• American Bakers Association

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• Society for Human Resource Management

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• National Association of Manufacturers

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• Eagle Forum

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• College and University Professional Association for Human Resources

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• U.S. Chamber of Commerce

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Most-commented sections of the bill text

Highest Rated User Comments

• On January 25, 2009, by parkrrr - It says that if there's a limit on something (in Lilly's case, a 180 day limit to file for discrimination), that the limit should be based on the date of the last paycheck, not the date that employment began.

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  As noted by parkrrr, a user on OpenCongress.org, on January 25, 2009, "It says that if there's a limit on something (in Lilly's case, a 180 day limit to file for discrimination), that the limit should be based on the date of the last paycheck, not the date that employment began."
• On January 31, 2009, by Anonymous - The government got involved because it was a case of discrimination. The salary she was paid wasn't so much the issue as was the fact that (according to the case) her males counterparts were being paid much more for the same job, even those with less experience and skills. There was a pay bias unrelated to skills, experience, performance, or other job-related factors so it looks like they were discriminating and therefore breaking the law. Ironically the government passes EEO legislation giving employees in private industry 180 days to put together and file a discrimination complaint but employees in many federal agencies only get 45 days.

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  As noted by Anonymous, a user on OpenCongress.org, on January 31, 2009, "The government got involved because it was a case of discrimination. The salary she was paid wasn't so much the issue as was the fact that (according to the case) her males counterparts were being paid much more for the same job, even those with less experience and skills. There was a pay bias unrelated to skills, experience, performance, or other job-related factors so it looks like they were discriminating and therefore breaking the law. Ironically the government passes EEO legislation giving employees in private industry 180 days to put together and file a discrimination complaint but employees in many federal agencies only get 45 days."
• On February 03, 2009, by ghost122 - Anonymous of Feb 3rd and yzERp, you obviously are male and have never been discriminated against. Agreeing to a specific pay initially and then, say, not getting a 5% raise when your performance evaluation would indicate you should, but getting 3% instead while male employees doing the same job automatically get 5% IS discrimination. Often, if a woman questions her compensation level, threats of a reprimand or loss of the job follow. Or if a woman advocates for a higher raise because her performance merits it, she'll be chastised for not accepting the offered lower rate. Meanwhile, men who perform at a lower level will receive a higher rate. This happens all the time and it is exactly why the government must mandate equal pay. Women who "fight for more" are seen as "nagging, whiny or bitchy" whereas men who "fight for more" as seen as "assertive, tough or strong". Furthermore, most companies make it a state secret what everyone else is being paid, so often the discrepancy doesn't come to light for a long time. Not the woman's fault nor should she be penalized for it. Women are only a "lawsuit waiting to happen" IF they are being discriminated against. How about being fair when it comes to pay and other perks/benefits/demands/assignments and then the company won't have to worry about "a bevy of lawyers"? It is exactly your attitude which has made it necessary for laws promoting fairness to women in the workplace to be passed. Otherwise, I'm sure women would be making 25 cents on the dollar for every dollar a man earns instead of 79 cents.

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  As noted by ghost122, a user on OpenCongress.org, on February 03, 2009, "Anonymous of Feb 3rd and yzERp, you obviously are male and have never been discriminated against. Agreeing to a specific pay initially and then, say, not getting a 5% raise when your performance evaluation would indicate you should, but getting 3% instead while male employees doing the same job automatically get 5% IS discrimination. Often, if a woman questions her compensation level, threats of a reprimand or loss of the job follow. Or if a woman advocates for a higher raise because her performance merits it, she'll be chastised for not accepting the offered lower rate. Meanwhile, men who perform at a lower level will receive a higher rate. This happens all the time and it is exactly why the government must mandate equal pay. Women who "fight for more" are seen as "nagging, whiny or bitchy" whereas men who "fight for more" as seen as "assertive, tough or strong". Furthermore, most companies make it a state secret what everyone else is being paid, so often the discrepancy doesn't come to light for a long time. Not the woman's fault nor should she be penalized for it. Women are only a "lawsuit waiting to happen" IF they are being discriminated against. How about being fair when it comes to pay and other perks/benefits/demands/assignments and then the company won't have to worry about "a bevy of lawyers"? It is exactly your attitude which has made it necessary for laws promoting fairness to women in the workplace to be passed. Otherwise, I'm sure women would be making 25 cents on the dollar for every dollar a man earns instead of 79 cents."

Highly Rated Blog Articles

• Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009 (2009; 111th Congress S. 181 ... - March 18, 2012 by GovTrack.us - S. 181 (111th). A bill to amend title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, and to modify the operation of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, to clarify that

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  As noted by GovTrack.us on March 18, 2012, "S. 181 (111th). A bill to amend title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, and to modify the operation of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, to clarify that" (/url?q=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/111/s181&sa=U&ei=YUPQT7a1KMqO2wWCy9GgDw&ved=0CEEQmAEwBQ&usg=AFQjCNGdodce_bibi8X9pa1ZlymjHYdxcA)
• S.181: A bill to amend title II of the Social Security Act to ... - January 23, 2011 by opencongress.org - OpenCongress - U.S. Congress - S.181 A bill to amend title II of the Social Security Act to preserve and protect Social Secu... Working... or Login with your OpenID. Click to ShowClick to Hide ...

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  As noted by opencongress.org on January 23, 2011, "OpenCongress - U.S. Congress - S.181 A bill to amend title II of the Social Security Act to preserve and protect Social Secu... Working... or Login with your OpenID. Click to ShowClick to Hide ..." (http://www.opencongress.org/bill/112-s181/show)
• H.Res.12: Expressing the sense of the House of ... - OpenCongress - January 04, 2011 by opencongress.org - Note: Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 5 , the text of H.R. 12 as passed by the House was appended to the end of H.R. 11 as new matter. For beyond action, look S.181 , which became Public Law 111-2 on 1/29/2009. 3. ...

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  As noted by opencongress.org on January 04, 2011, "Note: Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 5 , the text of H.R. 12 as passed by the House was appended to the end of H.R. 11 as new matter. For beyond action, look S.181 , which became Public Law 111-2 on 1/29/2009. 3. ..." (http://www.opencongress.org/bill/112-hr12/show)

Highly Rated News Articles

• State's legislators largely in favor of Obama bills, nominees - April 28, 2009 by The Port Huron Times Herald - ...by the Senate on Jan. 26, 2009. Senate Roll Call 15. The House does not vote on nominations. Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act (S.181): Amends the 1964 Civil Rights Act to give workers who allege pay discrimination based on race, gender, national origin, re

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  As noted by The Port Huron Times Herald on April 28, 2009, "...by the Senate on Jan. 26, 2009. Senate Roll Call 15. The House does not vote on nominations. Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act (S.181): Amends the 1964 Civil Rights Act to give workers who allege pay discrimination based on race, gender, national origin, re" (http://www.thetimesherald.com/article/20090429/NEWS01/904290326/1002/rss)
• New Federal Law Expands Employees’ Entitlement To Sue Over ... - February 15, 2009 by Mondaq News Alerts (registration), UK - (HR 11, S. 181). Accordingly, on January 9, 2009, the US House of Representatives approved the Fair Pay Act and the Paycheck Fairness Act. The two pieces of ...

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  As noted by Mondaq News Alerts (registration), UK on February 15, 2009, "(HR 11, S. 181). Accordingly, on January 9, 2009, the US House of Representatives approved the Fair Pay Act and the Paycheck Fairness Act. The two pieces of ..." (http://www.mondaq.com/article.asp?articleid=74492)
• Cong. Whitfield supports Lilly Ledbetter Act - February 02, 2009 by Princeton Times Leader, KY - Whitfield supported, and the House passed, S. 181, the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. The legislation would overturn the Supreme Court decision Ledbetter v. ...

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  As noted by Princeton Times Leader, KY on February 02, 2009, "Whitfield supported, and the House passed, S. 181, the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. The legislation would overturn the Supreme Court decision Ledbetter v. ..." (http://www.timesleader.net/articles/stories/public/200902/03/4dd4_news.html)