Press Releases
Rep. Nadler Lauds President Obama’s Signing into Law of Landmark Women’s Rights Bill
Washington, DC,
January 29, 2009
Today, Congressman Jerrold Nadler (NY-08), Chair of the Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, joined President Barack Obama and Lilly Ledbetter in the East Room of the White House for the signing into law of the historic Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009.
This critical legislation, the first new significant law of President Obama’s Administration, restores the appropriate limitation period for filing discrimination claims, overturning the Supreme Court’s decision in Ledbetter v. Goodyear. In that decision, Lilly Ledbetter was prevented from being compensated fairly after she had proven that her employer paid her less than her male colleagues for her entire career. This Act amends federal civil rights law to ensure that workers may challenge discrimination in compensation for as long as it lasts. Rep. Nadler has been instrumental in this process, holding a hearing in his Subcommittee to consider the need for remedial legislation and helping craft the legislation itself. “I am thrilled to join President Obama, my colleagues and the brave Lilly Ledbetter today in the signing of this critical legislation,” said Rep. Nadler. “It is gratifying to observe this Administration’s genuine concern for civil rights, and for women’s rights in particular. I am very pleased to have been a part of this process, fighting for this bill for two years and working hard with my colleagues and civil rights advocates to ensure its success. This new law safeguards the right of employees to challenge unlawful pay discrimination for as long as it lasts. Because of Ms. Ledbetter’s courage in coming forward and pushing her case, the President and Congress were now able to score a major victory for civil rights.” |