Chamber Opposes Hurried Attempt to Overturn Supreme Court

Says Bill Would Harm Civil Rights Laws

WASHINGTON, DC—The United States Chamber of Commerce decried House Education and Labor Committee action that would overturn a recent Supreme Court decision. Committee Chairman George Miller (D-CA) introduced H.R. 2831, a bill to overturn the recent decision in Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. Inc., and scheduled a markup of the bill for Wednesday, June 27.

"This rush to judgment is out of place in a matter as important as wage discrimination," said Randel Johnson, Chamber vice president for Labor, Immigration and Employee Benefits. "The ink is not yet dry on this Supreme Court decision—calm deliberations are in order."

In that case, the Court rejected the so-called "paycheck rule" that would permit an individual to file a claim of compensation discrimination based on an alleged discriminatory act that happened in the distant past as long as he or she felt the effects of that decision during the limitations period. However, in its ruling the Court held that the limitations period begins to run when the discriminatory act occurs (and is communicated to the individual) and does not re-start each time he or she receives a paycheck. The Chamber strongly supports the Supreme Court's decision in the case and opposes efforts to change the laws relevant to the ruling.

The bill is far broader than a simple "fix" for Ledbetter. Instead, it is so broadly drafted that it would impose significant changes in Title VII, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Rehabilitation Act.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation, representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.

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