Talk Radio News Service: News, Politics, Media

By Kayleigh Harvey - Talk Radio News Service and Suzia Van Swol - University of New Mexico/Talk Radio News Service

“I will never see a cent for my case, but if this bill passes I’ll have an even richer reward because I’ll know that my daughters, my granddaughters and your daughters and your granddaughters will get a better deal. That’s what makes this fight worth fighting and it’s what makes this fight one we have to win,” said Lilly Ledbetter during a press conference to discuss the progress of the fair pay act.

Senators Barbara Mikulski (D-Md); Patty Murray (D-Wash); Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark); Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich): Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn); Jeanne Shaheen (D- N.H.); Kay Hagan (D-N.C.) appeared to discuss the “Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act”. According to Senator Mikulski, they hope to sign the act before Saturday. Marcia Greenberger, founder and co-president of the National Women’s Law Center was also in attendance.

Senator Mikulski said,“We are doing this in reaction to an outrageous supreme court decision in May 2007 in the famous case of Ledbetter v. Goodyear. their decision was bias and protects corporate interest over human interest.” The bill is expected to be signed within the next 48 hours, and would end discrimination for all categories. “Today, we hope it’s today, if not tomorrow, if not then Saturday, we’re not going to go home until it’s done. Lilly, we are going to get this passed in the United States Senate and I know that because of the courage of the women that stands next to me, that this new President will be signing this bill into law,” said Sen. Patty Murray.

Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson (R-TX) had proposed an amendment that some said would weaken pay discrimination law and create a cloud on the real purpose of the bill. This amendment was voted on in the Senate this morning and was defeated 55-40.

Senator Murray is happy about the work that went into this bill, “I’m very proud that because of the work that has gone before us, today my daughter has the same ability as my son to have good pay, a good job, and a great opportunity.”

by Suzia van Swol, University of New Mexico-Talk Radio News Service and Staff