U.S. Rep. Jared Polis
Floor Statement on S.181 Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act
January 27, 2009

I would like to thank Chairman Miller for his leadership on this issue of equality and fairness in the workplace and Representative DeLauro for her continued work on this issue. 

This bill restores and clarifies important protections that are a long time coming.  It corrects a wrong that has cost our working women more than just the dollars they've earned.

Today’s bill ensures that every worker, whether male or female, is given equal opportunity to fight against discrimination in the workplace. When someone's pay is based not on their ability, not on their creativity, not on their personal drive, not on the value they create in the economy, but rather on their chromosomes, we cheat ourselves and we cheat our entire economy and all American families.

Pay discrimination, whether based on gender or any non-performance factor, means the best and brightest within our society are being held back.

Discrimination is a cancer of economic inefficiency that eats away at American prosperity.  When we fail to promote those who show leadership, we stifle the innovation and progress that make our country great. 

And while our country has made great strides—tremendous strides toward equality—we have a long way to go and particularly women still continue to suffer for less pay for the same work than men across our nation. Pay discrimination furthers inequalities and that's why I strongly support the Lilly Ledbetter Act that gives women the legal hammer they need to continue to break the glass ceiling.

Even worse, in the face of these dark economic times, pay discrimination takes aim at the working moms and single parents who are already at a disadvantage.

It makes it harder for them to afford their family’s health care, to provide for their children’s education, and to put nutritious food on the table.

Tomorrow, the House will consider the greatest single investment in American infrastructure this country has ever seen.  We must ensure that the projects which we promote, the infrastructure in which we invest, and the jobs which we create will benefit American workers--equally.

I once again thank Chairman Miller for his leadership on this important legislation.  I urge my colleagues to vote yes for this bill and yield back the balance of my time.