On, SNAP!
The Democrats are graciously going to allow John McCain to put his vote where is mouth is. After - bizarrely - accusing Democrats of sexism for having the abject temerity to ask Sarah any questions, the Democrats plan to reintroduce the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act this month. Remember:
John McCain was AGAINST fair pay for women this summer
John McCain has opposed fair pay and didn't show up for the procedural vote.
Background:
At issue is the Supreme Court's ruling in the case of Lilly Ledbetter, who for 19 years was the lone female supervisor at an Alabama tire plant. Months before she retired in 1998, Ledbetter learned that she was being paid thousands of dollars less than her male co-workers. She filed suit and was awarded more than $3 million by a jury. Last May, the Supreme Court ruled 5 to 4 that Ledbetter had waited too long to file her case. The court said she should have complained within 180 days of a specific discriminatory event.
The ruling stunned civil rights advocates, who said federal courts in nine of the nation's 12 circuits had for decades judged that the 180-day statute of limitations began running afresh with each discriminatory paycheck. Their congressional supporters quickly drafted legislation to set that standard into law. Under the bill, the 180-day clock would start ticking when a discriminatory decision is adopted, when a person becomes subject to that decision or when a person is affected by that decision, including with each new paycheck.
The White House has threatened to veto the bill, saying it would effectively eliminate the deadline for filing lawsuits over pay discrimination and subject businesses to claims over decisions long past. Last night, all but six Republican senators fell into line.
Great. Make the Republicans defend being against Fair Pay. Make it even more painfully obvious that they are cynical for plucking "a woman" and then pronouncing that those who disagree with her or question her are sexist.
What IS John McCain's stance on this? Will he be asked?
Link to text of the Democratic Senate email via "The Crypt" at politico.com
Update [2008-9-5 9:44:45 by Glic]: McCain couldn't be bothered to show up to vote for this bill the first time it was introduced. Thanks to ManahManah for finding this quote:
"I am all in favor of pay equity for women, but this kind of legislation, as is typical of what's being proposed by my friends on the other side of the aisle, opens us up to lawsuits for all kinds of problems," the expected GOP presidential nominee told reporters. "This is government playing a much, much greater role in the business of a private enterprise system."