New York, NY, January 9, 2009 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today welcomed approval by the House of Representatives of legislation designed to give workers the tools they need to challenge pay discrimination against them.

The legislation is designed to address a 2007 U.S. Supreme Court decision, Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., Inc, which unduly restricted the timeframe for filing a discriminatory pay charge under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. 

"Equal pay for women in the workplace is fundamental to guaranteeing women's equal status in our society," said Deborah M. Lauter, ADL Civil Rights Director.  "This legislation will combat workplace sex discrimination by allowing employees a reasonable time frame in which to take action against pay discrimination in the workplace."