U.S. Rep. Bill Foster, D-Naperville, sent the following news release:
Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2013, marks the 4th anniversary of the signing of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. The act reversed a Supreme Court decision that restricted a woman’s ability to challenge pay discrimination in the workplace. The Act, which Congressman Foster voted for during the 111th Congress, was the first piece of legislation signed into law by President Obama.
While this was an important step towards closing the wage gap, women in Illinois still make only 76 cents for every dollar men earn doing the same work.
“I’m proud to have voted for the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and join those taking important steps to help close the wage gap, because equal work deserves equal pay,” said Foster. “But there’s still work to be done, and that’s why I am a cosponsor of the Paycheck Fairness Act and will continue to support measures to close the gap until women are getting the fair pay and respect they deserve.”
“Unfortunately, we’ve seen Republicans in the last Congress playing partisan political games and blocking important, common sense legislation like the Paycheck Fairness Act. I am hopeful that after November’s election, Republicans have finally gotten the message that our constituents are tired of the political posturing and ready to see action, and we can pass legislation to close the wage gap,” Foster added.
The Paycheck Fairness Act would require employers to pay equal salaries for equal work done by men and women and would prohibit employers from retaliating against workers for sharing salary information. Reps. Anna G. Eshoo (D-Calif.), Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) and Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.) reintroduced the Paycheck Fairness Act on Jan. 24, 2013.
