PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Congressional Research Service
Version 49 · Public Law · Jan 29, 2009
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)
Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009 - Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to declare that an unlawful employment practice occurs when: (1) a discriminatory compensation decision or other practice is adopted; (2) an individual becomes subject to the decision or practice; or (3) an individual is affected by application of the decision or practice, including each time wages, benefits, or other compensation is paid. Allows liability to accrue, and allows an aggrieved person to obtain relief, including recovery of back pay, for up to two years preceding the filing of the charge, where the unlawful employment practices that have occurred during the charge filing period are similar or related to practices that occurred outside the time for filing a charge. Applies the preceding provisions to claims of compensation discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
Amends the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 to declare that an unlawful practice occurs when a discriminatory compensation decision or other practice is adopted, when a person becomes subject to the decision or other practice, or when a person is affected by the decision or practice, including each time wages, benefits, or other compensation is paid.
People & committees
Sen. Mikulski, Barbara A. [D-MD] · D–MD
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Became Public Law No: 111-2.
Became Public Law No: 111-2.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Cleared for White House.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 250 - 177 (Roll no. 37). (text: CR H546-547)
House roll call 37 · Individual votesPassed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 250 - 177 (Roll no. 37).(text: CR H546-547)
House roll call 37 · Individual votesOn motion to commit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 176 - 250 (Roll no. 36).
House roll call 36 · Individual votesThe previous question on the motion to commit was ordered without objection. (consideration: CR H555)
Floor summary: DEBATE - The House proceeded with ten minutes of debate on the McKeon motion to commit S. 181 to the Committee on Education and Labor.
Mr. McKeon moved to commit to Education and Labor. (consideration: CR H554-556)
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule. (consideration: CR H554)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on S. 181.
Rule provides for consideration of S. 181 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit. Measure will be considered read. Bill is closed to amendments.
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 87. (consideration: CR H546-556)
Rule H. Res. 87 passed House.
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 87 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of S. 181 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit. Measure will be considered read. Bill is closed to amendments.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Held at the desk.
Received in the House.
Passed Senate without amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 61 - 36. Record Vote Number: 14. (text: CR S775-776)
Senate roll call 14 · Individual votesPassed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 61 - 36. Record Vote Number: 14.(text: CR S775-776)
Senate roll call 14 · Individual votesConsidered by Senate. (consideration: CR S739-759, S759-776)
Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S693-712)
Measure laid before Senate by motion. (consideration: CR S557-559, S588-590)
Motion to proceed to consideration of measure agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S557-559, S588-590)
Cloture on the motion to proceed to the measure invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 72 - 23. Record Vote Number: 4. (consideration: CR S557-559; text: CR S559)
Senate roll call 4 · Individual votesMotion to proceed to measure considered in Senate. (consideration: CR S557)
Motion to proceed to consideration of measure withdrawn in Senate. (consideration: CR S349)
Cloture motion on the motion to proceed to the measure presented in Senate. (consideration: CR S349)
Motion to proceed to consideration of measure made in Senate. (consideration: CR S349)
Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 14.
Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Dec 5, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
AI Conversation Starters
Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.
Analyze S.181 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
Examine S.181 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.
Examine S.181 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.
Examine S.181 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.