1* Congress Reacts to the Ledbetter Supreme Court Decision

2* Johanna's Law Appropriations Update

3* New Paid Family Medical Leave Bill Introduced

4* Title IX Turns 35!

5* Minimum Wage Increase Signed into Law

6* Women Veterans Bill Passes Senate Committee

1*In light of last month’s Supreme Court ruling in the Ledbetter case, Senators Edward Kennedy (D-MA), Tom Harkin (D-IA), Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY), and Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) will be introducing legislation to ensure that workers are able to enforce their legal right to equal pay. 

The Supreme Court ruled that Ledbetter’s complaint was outside of the 180 day time limit to file a complaint under Title VII.  The Supreme Court held that this period runs from the date the employer makes a pay-setting decision, and not the date that the employee actually receives a paycheck with a discriminatory wage, even if the effects of the discrimination were not fully apparent to the worker at the time.

This was a giant step back for women who face pay discrimination and this ruling will make it far more difficult for women and others to receive equal pay for equal work.  As a result, Congress is planning to introduce legislation that would address this 180 day provision.  On June 12th, the House Education and Labor Committee held a hearing to discuss the ruling. The hearing focused on whether Congress should amend Title VII of the Civil Rights Act to extend the period of time individuals have to sue for wage discrimination.  BPW/USA will give more specific information about the legislation when it is received and announced by Congress.

2*Right now the House and Senate are in the midst of marking up their appropriations bills, which includes funding for Johanna’s Law in the Labor Health and Human Services (Labor HHS) bill.  The House Labor HHS Subcommittee mark up included $9 million in their FY2008 funding for Johanna's Law, which is the amount that was requested by supporters of Johanna’s Law.  BPW/USA believes that the full House committee will approve the $9 million as well. The Senate Subcommittee with jurisdiction over Johanna’s Law will mark up its Labor HHS bill today and the full Senate Committee will mark up the bill on Thursday. BPW/USA is hoping that the Senate will maintain the requested $9 million supported by the House.

3*This week in recognition of Father’s Day, a new paid Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) bill will be introduced in the Senate tomorrow, June 20th.  The Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) was signed into law in 1993 by former President Clinton and it continues to be an important policy for families.  It allows people to take time out of work for up to three months for the birth of a child, an ill family member or their own illness.  However for many families, especially low-income ones, they cannot afford to take advantage of FMLA because it is unpaid. Which is where this new piece of legislation comes in.

The paid FMLA bill will be sponsored by Senators Christopher Dodd (D-CT) and Ted Stevens (R-AK). The specifics of the bill are still being finalized however overall the legislation will give approximately up to 60% of an employee’s compensation for up to 8 weeks of leave.  After the bill’s introduction, BPW/USA will have a fact sheet about it on our website, and will be sending more specific information about the bill in future Legislative Hotlines.

4*This month marks 35 years since the passage of Title IX, the law that opened so many opportunities for women in the classroom, sports, and more.  BPW/USA recognizes this important anniversary by continuing to advocate on behalf of Title IX and making sure that it remains strong.  We must remain vigilant in protecting this law for future generations of women and girls. 

5*The minimum wage increase was finally signed into law on May 25th as part of the war spending bill.  The law raises the federal minimum wage for the first time in ten years, from $5.15 per hour today to $7.25 by 2009. The first step of the increase, to $5.85, takes effect July 24, 2007. 

6*Last week the Senate Armed Services Committee approved the Dignified Treatment of Wounded Warriors Act (S. 1606).  Sponsored by Chair Carl Levin (D-MI), the measure would address problems, such as the need to assist service members and their families during the transition from military to civilian life, which have been highlighted during recent committee hearings. The bill would facilitate this transition by requiring the secretary of Defense and the secretary of Veterans Affairs to develop a comprehensive transition policy. The bill also would authorize $50 million for improved diagnosis and treatment of service members with traumatic brain injury or post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

During consideration of the bill, the committee approved an amendment by BPW/PAC endorsee Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO) that would require the secretary of Defense and the secretary of Veterans Affairs to consider and address the needs of women service members and veterans when implementing any provision of the bill. Additionally, any report required by the bill would have to include a description of how the needs of women service members and veterans were being addressed.

BPW/USA supports this legislation and commends the Senate Armed Services Committee for passing the bill because it addresses the needs of BPW’s Women Joining Forces members.  While the BPW/USA Women Joining Forces program, designed to help women veterans’ transition from the military to civilian workforce, is making a difference in the lives of women veterans there needs to be federal policy like this that will have a broader impact. 

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BPW/USA’s Legislative Hotline is a service for BPW members and is updated each week.  If you have any questions or would like additional information about BPW/USA’s policy initiatives please call BPW/USA's Director of Public Policy, Elisabeth Gehl, at 202-777-8962 or email at egehl@bpwusa.org.