Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009

S. 181 in the 111th Congress (2009–2010) became law — introduced on Jan 8, 2009, sponsored by Barbara A. Mikulski with 54 co-sponsors. Congress held 11 roll call votes on it.

During the 111th Congress (2009–2010), George W. Bush was president, and Democrats held majorities in both the House and Senate.

Status: Became law
Introduced: Jan 8, 2009
Co-sponsors: 54
Policy area: Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Public law: Public Law 111-2

What it does

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.

Summary by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service.

Sponsor

Barbara A. Mikulski (D-MD). Co-sponsors: 51 Democrats, 1 Republican, 1 Independent.

Where it stands

IntroducedJan 8, 2009
Passed the SenateJan 22, 2009
Passed the HouseJan 27, 2009
Sent to the PresidentJan 28, 2009
Became lawJan 29, 2009

Latest action: Became Public Law No: 111-2. (Jan 29, 2009)

How Congress voted

On Passage
House · Jan 27, 2009 · Passed250–177
On Motion to Commit
House · Jan 27, 2009 · Failed176–250
On Passage of the Bill
Senate · Jan 22, 2009 · Bill Passed61–36
On the Cloture Motion
Senate · Jan 15, 2009 · Cloture Motion Agreed to72–23

Every roll call vote on this bill

A bill to amend title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of…Senate · Jan 15, 2009
To clarify standing.Senate · Jan 22, 2009
To preserve and protect the free choice of individual employees to form, join, or assist labor…Senate · Jan 22, 2009
To limit the application of the Act to claims resulting from discriminatory compensation decisions that are…Senate · Jan 22, 2009
To preserve open competition and Federal Government neutrality towards the labor relations of Federal…Senate · Jan 22, 2009
A bill to amend title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of…Senate · Jan 22, 2009
In the nature of a substitute.Senate · Jan 22, 2009
To provide a rule of construction.Senate · Jan 22, 2009
To limit the application of the bill to discriminatory compensation decisions.Senate · Jan 22, 2009
Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009House · Jan 27, 2009
Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009House · Jan 27, 2009

More bills from Barbara A. Mikulski in the 111th Congress

S. 2781: Rosa's Law

Other Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues bills in the 111th Congress

From GovInfo bill records, Congressional Research Service summaries, Voteview roll calls and lobbying reports.

Cite or embed this page

Capitol Receipts, “S. 181 (111th Congress): Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/bill/111-s-181/lilly-ledbetter-fair-pay-act-of-2009 (accessed 2026-10-17).