Providing for Consideration of S. 181, Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009
Floor Speech
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF S. 181, LILLY LEDBETTER FAIR PAY ACT OF 2009 -- (House of Representatives - January 27, 2009)
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Mr. POLIS of Colorado. I'd like to thank the gentlewoman from Maine for the time. First, on the rule, before I get into the merits of the issue, which is a very important issue we all care about, with regard to the rule on this item, we did discuss it and debate it as part of the initial rules for the House of Representatives which we put in place. So this was discussed both within caucus and debated before the House as a whole.
I heard many objections from my colleagues on the other side, perhaps including the gentleman from Florida, with regard to the rules package, around the recommit issue, around the terms limit issue. I did not hear at that point extensive disagreement about the rules for this particular item, which were included in that initial package.
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. This bill corrects a wrong that has cost our working women more than just the dollars they have 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 only 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 nonperformance factor, means the best and the 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 towards 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 is why I strongly support the Lilly Ledbetter Act. It gives women the legal hammer they need to continue to break the glass ceiling.
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