by Patricia A. Schaeffer, Vice President-Regulatory Affairs
This is a follow-up to yesterday's article on the vote on H.R. 2831 that was scheduled for Monday, July 30, 2007.
The U.S. House of Representatives debated H.R. 2831 (The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2007) late yesterday evening. Some of the arguments raised during the vigorous debate included the opponents to the bill claiming H.R. 2831 would eliminate the statute of limitations for all discrimination claims brought under Title VII, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and the Rehabilitation Act. Supporters of the bill countered these arguments by asserting H.R. 2831 was simply reinstating an interpretation of the law that had governed pay discrimination claims for over 40 years. Supporters also claimed the legislation was important, not just for women, but also for people of color who have encountered pay discrimination.
The floor vote, which had been delayed until this afternoon, resulted in the bill passing by a 225 to 199 vote. President Bush had previously indicated that he intended to veto this bill, if passed, as set forth in a Statement of Administration Policy.
DCI will report separately on the implications of this important vote.
