WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today Congresswoman Lois Capps welcomed the introduction of the Fair Time for Fair Pay Act of 2007. This legislation would reverse the recent Supreme Court ruling in Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire & RubberCompany which limited the ability of women and other employees to sue employers for pay discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.

“It is fitting that we are introducing this much needed legislation in the same week that we are celebrating the 35^th Anniversary of Title IX,” said Capps, Chair of the Democratic Women’s Working Group. “While we have made great strides as a nation in providing women greater opportunities and addressing issues of gender discrimination, the Supreme Court’s decision in the Ledbetter case was a setback for all our civil rights. It reminds us that there is still work to be done to ensure that women are treated fairly in the workplace.

“This legislation would provide employees who have been discriminated against with a reasonable timeframe to seek recourse. This would help restore employees’ confidence that pay discrimination by employers will not go unchecked and would provide a strong incentive for employers to discourage discriminatory pay practices in the workplace.

“I urge my colleagues to join me in support of the Fair Time for Fair Pay Act of 2007. I hope this bill moves quickly through the legislative process so we can correct this flawed decision and ensure that workplace discrimination will not be allowed to go unpunished.”

Pictured above: (center) Congresswoman Capps meets with Central Coast firefighters to discuss emergency preparedness.