Obama's First Law Will Fight Wage Discrimination

A wage-discrimination bill that heralds the pro-labor policies of the Democratic-controlled Congress and White House cleared the Senate on a 61-36 vote today and could be on President Obama's desk within days. The legislation reverses a 2007 Supreme Court ruling that narrowly defines when workers can claim wage discrimination, even if they are unaware for years that they are getting less than colleagues doing the same job.

 

It has been a priority for women's groups seeking to narrow the wage gap between men and women. Harry Reid predicted that "the first bill that President Obama will sign will be this piece of legislation," an important message because "this administration stands for equality and fairness." The House is expected to approve it quickly and send it to Obama for his signature. 
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