NCJW Applauds Passage of Equal Pay Bills by the House
January 9, 2009, Washington, DC -- The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) today welcomed passage of two equal pay bills by the House of Representatives. NCJW President Nancy Ratzan released the following statement:
"NCJW is greatly heartened by the passage today in the House of Representatives of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and the Paycheck Fairness Act. Together these two bills make huge strides in addressing the persistent inequity facing women in the workplace. Women still earn only 78 cents for every dollar earned by men. Ending pay discrimination is all the more important during in these difficult economic times when every penny counts.
"The Ledbetter Act reverses an ill-advised Supreme Court decision in 2007 that made it harder for women to use Title VII of the Civil Rights Act when they experienced job discrimination. The Paycheck Fairness Act will strengthen the 1963 Equal Pay Act.
"It is especially significant that these bills, among the unfinished business of the last congress, were the first substantive legislation taken up in the House of Representatives -- an indication of the commitment that the House leadership has to civil rights and economic equity. Now the Senate must act quickly to approve these bills and send them on to our new President who has pledged to sign both into law. Working women have already waited too long."
The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) is a grassroots organization of volunteers and advocates who turn progressive ideals into action. Inspired by Jewish values, NCJW strives for social justice by improving the quality of life for women, children, and families and by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms.
Contact:
Emily Alfano
202 296 2588 x5; emily@ncjwdc.org