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Pelosi Statement on the Sixth Anniversary of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act

January 29, 2015

Contact: Drew Hammill, 202-226-7616

Philadelphia – Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today to mark the sixth anniversary of enactment of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act:

"In 2009, on this day, President Obama made the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act the first bill he signed into law, restoring the right of women and other workers to challenge pay discrimination in court. It was a landmark law – ensuring that the courthouse door was open for women seeking to fight discrimination.

"While enactment of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act was a critical victory for equal pay, there is much more that must be done. We will also continue to fight for the enactment of the Paycheck Fairness Act, which would provide a much-needed update to the 52-year-old Equal Pay Act, by providing more effective legal remedies to women who are not being paid equal wages for doing equal work.

"Fighting for equal pay for equal work, paid sick leave for America's workers, expanding access to affordable, high-quality child care, and raising the minimum wage are all cornerstones of House Democrats' efforts to empower working families through our ‘When Women Succeed, America Succeeds' economic agenda.

"The American people demand and deserve an economy that works for everyone – not just the privileged few. By ensuring equal pay for equal work and our other steps to strengthen working families, we can help secure opportunity for women, fairness for families, and equality for all Americans."

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