Senator Collins' Statement On Paycheck Fairness Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins today released the following statement after voting not to proceed to the Paycheck Fairness Act: 

              “I support equal pay for equal work.  I voted in favor of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act because I believed the Supreme Court decision in the Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company case placed an unreasonable burden on a worker’s ability to seek recourse in wage discrimination cases because it did not take into account the realities of the workplace.   In addition, other existing laws such the 1964 Civil Rights Act and the 1963 Equal Pay Act already prohibit wage differentials based on gender.

“I remain concerned that this particular legislation would unnecessarily expose the small business community to excessive litigation, and impose increased costs and restrictions on businesses that are already struggling to create and maintain jobs in this difficult economic environment.”