Congress has hit the ground running in 2009 and is working hard to push
forward an aggressive agenda. During its first week back in session, the
U.S. House of Representatives rushed through two pieces of pay equity
legislation: the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009 (H.R. 11) and the
Paycheck Fairness Act (H.R. 12). The House passed similar measures
during its previous session, but the proposed legislation lacked
sufficient support in the Senate. Now, with better odds of clearing the
Senate — and no threat of a Presidential veto — the bills are
poised to become law in 2009. Both reform measures would make it easier
for plaintiffs to prevail in pay discrimination claims against employers.
