Congress Votes This Week on Pay Equity!

Image by Leadership Conference on Civil Rights via FlickrAAUW urges the passage of both the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and the Paycheck Fairness Act; we also urge their passage as a package, as part of the first set of bills the new president signs into law.

Passing both bills, in tandem, is critical to the overall goal of achieving pay equity for women: the Ledbetter Fair Pay Act rights the wrongs done by the Supreme Court, regaining ground we've lost and ensuring that people who've been discriminated against can seek vindication. The Paycheck Fairness Act is a comprehensive bill that would create stronger incentives for employers to follow the law as well as strengthen penalties for violations, strengthen federal outreach, education and enforcement efforts, and prohibit retaliation against workers who ask about employers' wage practices.

Together, the bills can help create a climate where pay discrimination is not tolerated, and give the new administration the enforcement tools it needs to make real progress on pay equity.

Take Action! Click this link to send a message to Congress

Urge your representative to support the Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and the Paycheck Fairness Act when they come up for a vote this week to ensure the change hard working Americans need to receive equal pay.

Do you know women who are represented by congress people wavering on their vote. Send your friends an e-card asking them to take action. The link to the e-card is in the Keep the Change Badge in the right column. The numbers count!