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Dear Senator [Name],
Last year, in Ledbetter v. Goodyear, the Supreme Court made pay discrimination protections virtually meaningless. I'm writing to urge you to support the Fair Pay Restoration Act, which would correct the Court's decision and restore these protections.
Pay discrimination is a huge problem that affects millions of Black Americans, other people of color, and women. In 2006, nearly 5,000 pay discrimination claims were filed.
Before the Supreme Court's ruling, every discriminatory paycheck was considered a discriminatory act. With the Supreme Court decision, only the initial decision about an employee's pay can be considered an act of discrimination, meaning employees must take action within 180 days of being hired at discriminatory wages or being given a discriminatory raise. The truth is that it can take months or years for an employee to discover he or she has been subject to pay discrimination. Most will try to work it out with their employer before taking legal action, but the Court's decision means employees can't take that approach. Employers now have an increased incentive to hide their discriminatory practices, knowing that if they aren't found out within 180 days they can never be held accountable. The Fair Pay Restoration Act would make it clear that each discriminatory paycheck constitutes an act of discrimination.
The Supreme Court's decision threatens over 40 years of progress in pay equity since the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was passed. The act marked a new era in government and sent the message that equality is at the core of American values. Just as it did four decades ago, the Senate should stand up now, across party lines, and protect all workers from discrimination. I strongly urge you to support the Fair Pay Restoration Act.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
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