SENATOR KENNEDY TO HOLD HEARING ON EQUAL RIGHTS

WASHINGTON, DC— At 10:00am on Thursday, January 24, 2008, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, will hold a hearing on ensuring workers’ rights to equal pay. The hearing will focus on the decision by the Supreme Court in the case Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, which undermines the basic protection against pay discrimination for workers set forth in the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act. The decision created a technical hurdle that makes it far more difficult for women and others to receive equal pay for equal work. The Fair Pay Restoration Act, introduced by Chairman Kennedy and more than two dozen bipartisan Senate colleagues, would restore the clear intent of Congress that workers must have a reasonable time to file a pay discrimination claim after they become victims of discriminatory compensation. Chairman Kennedy, along with Congressman John Lewis, will also be introducing the Civil Rights Act of 2008, a bill which will help keep the promise of equality for all by strengthening accountability when civil rights and workers’ rights are violated. WHAT: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee hearing on ensuring workers’ rights to fair pay WHEN: Thursday, January 24th, 2008 WHO: Senate Heath, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Witnesses: Lily Ledbetter Margot Dorfman, CEO, U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce Samuel Bagenstos, Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Development, University of Washington School of Law WHERE: 430 Dirksen Senate Office Building Summaries of the bills are below.