WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO), Vice Chair of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, today supported two measures that have been stalled under the Republican Administration. The 111th Congress today passed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, legislation that would restore the long-standing interpretation of civil rights laws to allow employees to file pay discrimination claims within 180 days of each discriminatory paycheck they receive, and the Paycheck Fairness Act, legislation that would help end the discriminatory practice of paying men and women unequally for performing the same job.

“The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act is a necessary measure to ensure the end of gender discrimination,” said DeGette. “This legislation is long overdue and I am pleased the 111th Congress will make this one of the first bills passed this session.”

The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act would apply to workers who file claims of discrimination on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, religion, age, or disability. The House-passed bill is the same as the bill approved in 2007. President-Elect Obama has indicated his strong support for the measure.

“The Paycheck Fairness Act will strengthen the Equal Pay Act and close loopholes that have allowed many employers to avoid responsibility for discriminatory pay,” concluded DeGette.

Although the wage gap between men and women has narrowed since the passage of the landmark Equal Pay Act in 1963, gender-based wage discrimination remains a significant problem for women in the U.S. workforce. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, women only make 78 cents for every dollar earned by a man.