Kagen Marks Equal Pay Day

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 

April 20, 2010

KAGEN MARKS EQUAL PAY DAY

Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act was historic step for women

APPLETON, WI- Congressman Steve Kagen, M.D. made the following statement in recognition of  Equal Pay Day today.

“Forty-seven years ago President Kennedy signed the Equal Pay Act into law,” said Kagen.  “And yet, in many cases, women still compete on an un-level playing field.”

"If America stands for anything, it is equality; equality between citizens at play with different shades of skin color and different points of view; equality of opportunity at school for all our children; and equal pay for equal work.

“In January 2009, we made a historic step toward equality when the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act was signed into law,” continued Kagen, “but there is still work to be done to close the pay gap.”

In 2009, The Lilly Ledbetter Act restored the right of women and other workers to challenge unfair pay in court.  Specifically, it rectified the May 2007 Ledbetter v. Goodyear Supreme Court decision that overturned precedent and made it much more difficult for workers to pursue pay discrimination claims.

“Today, we should all celebrate our progress and pledge to continue to pursue fairness in the workplace for women.”

Dr. Kagen co-sponsored The Paycheck Fairness Act, a key initiative in closing the pay gap between men and women.  It closes numerous loopholes in the Equal Pay Act and stiffens penalties for employers who discriminate based on gender.  The Paycheck Fairness Act passed the House of Representatives in January 2009, but the Senate has still has yet to act on this meaningful piece of legislation.

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