Thursday, January 29, 2009
Harkin Attends Ledbetter White House Bill Signing
Senator Tom Harkin today attended the White House bill signing of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act – the first bill signing of the new administration. The Act will help to ensure all Americans are paid the same wage regardless of their age, gender, race or ethnicity. It passed both Chambers of Congress last week by overwhelming majorities. Harkin, a cosponsor of the measure, is a senior member of the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions and Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee that funds labor initiatives.
“Today was a historic day – not only did it mark the first bill signing of the administration, it marked a new era for fighting pay discrimination in this country,” said Harkin. “This law will help to curb the unfair practice of pay discrimination by restoring civil rights protections for workers who face discrimination based on age, race, gender, national origin, religion or disability. The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act will be remembered in history alongside other critical anti-discrimination measures like the Equal Pay, Civil Rights, Family and Medical Leave and the American with Disabilities Acts.”
