Strike Two

Yesterday, Congress gave its final approval to the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009, which passed 250-177.

No prizes for guessing how Mr. Rogers voted on the bill, which reduces barriers for workers to bring lawsuits for pay discrimination.   It was his second "no" on fair pay for women.

Ms. Ledbetter was a Goodyear plant employee in Alabama, who 

became a champion of women’s rights and an outspoken supporter of Mr. Obama after the Supreme Court, in a 5-to-4 decision in 2007, rejected her lawsuit against Goodyear.

A jury had found that the company paid Ms. Ledbetter less than male supervisors, in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The Supreme Court did not deny that she had suffered discrimination, but said she should have filed her claim within 180 days of “the alleged unlawful employment practice” — the initial decision to pay her less than men.

By voting against the fair pay act, Mr. Rogers made it clear that he thinks employees should be psychic -- they should know (and act!) within six months of their initial employment if they are facing pay discrimination.  Never mind that for most of us, it takes six months just to figure out how to get the tech support guys to help you.  

Speaking of "fair pay," though Mr. Rogers wailed at the thought of his automatic $4,700 pay increase,

"Congressman Rogers believes there should be no raises for members of Congress as long as the nation has a deficit, and especially while Michigan families are facing pay cuts, loss of their jobs, rising costs for fuel and groceries, and an uncertain economic future," Warner said.

... there's still no word on whether Mr. Rogers will be donating this extra cash to a local charity...

cross-posted at Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood