01.22.09
Senator Murkowski votes for the Fair Pay Act
Contact - Michael Brumas at 202.224.9301 or Anne Johnson at 202.224.8069
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today voted for the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which passed the Senate 61 to 36. The Fair Pay Act is in response to a case decided by the U.S. Supreme Court in which Lilly Ledbetter was found not to be entitled to compensation for wage discrimination because she did not file her claim within 180 days of the first discriminatory paycheck. This legislation clarifies Americans’ ability to seek compensation for wage discrimination by stating that employees may file a complaint within 180 days after each paycheck that is tainted by an earlier discriminatory decision.
“Last year, Senators were not permitted to offer and vote on amendments that might have improved this bill, and so I voted not to end debate on the bill. I am pleased that Senators have had the opportunity to vote on amendments today. Most importantly, however, no American should be subject to discrimination, and if they are, they have the right to the law’s full protection,” Murkowski said. “At the end of the day, I believe it is more important to vote for legislation that will improve every American’s ability to access full redress for any act of wage discrimination.”
The Fair Pay Act’s provisions apply to all Americans regardless of gender, race, religion, age, national origin, or disability.
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