WASHINGTON - January 29 - Today the American Civil Liberties Union applauds President Barack Obama's speedy enactment of legislation reversing the Supreme Court ruling in Ledbetter v. Goodyear, in which employees lost their right to their day in court for ongoing wage discrimination. Less than 48 hours ago, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Senate approved version of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act by a vote of 250-177, sending the bill to President Obama's desk.

"By swiftly signing the Ledbetter legislation into law, President Obama insures that employees, regardless of their gender, race, national origin, age, or disability, are protected from the additional burdens of pay disparities during an economic recession," said Caroline Fredrickson, director of the ACLU Washington Legislative Office. "This law lifts the free pass employers received for ongoing unlawful pay disparities. This law now allows employees the ability to bring home every dollar that is rightfully earned."

ACLU Legislative Counsel Deborah J. Vagins added, "The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act rights the wrong done by the Supreme Court in Ledbetter v. Goodyear. With this law, people who have suffered pay discrimination can once again seek vindication without facing unduly and unfairly restrictive deadlines. Now that Congress and the President have restored access to the courthouse, it is time to close the loopholes that make wage discrimination possible by passing the Paycheck Fairness Act."