Obama Signs Fair Pay Act
Jan 29th, 2009 by nick
Barack Obama today signed his first piece of legislation: The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act. This bill makes it easier for women and others who are being discriminated against to file complaints. Rather than discussing the details of the bill, which are readily available, I’d like to note the symbolism. During the primary, I think many Democrats were afraid that Obama would not pursue women’s rights and “women’s issues” as assiduously as would Hillary Clinton. Now, by making this bill his first piece of major legislation, Obama has shown that he is as willing as Hillary Clinton would have been to seek progressive legislation on behalf of women. Although we didn’t elect a woman in this election, we elected a progressive who will stand up for women’s rights.