JOHN BOEHNER

Washington (Jan 9, 2009) House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) today issued the following statement opposing the Democrats’ so-called Paycheck Fairness Act and Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act – measures that begin a coordinated payback to the Democratic Majority’s political allies at the expense of the American people:

“It is deeply regrettable that the first major pieces of legislation considered by the 111th Congress were rushed to the floor with no transparency for purely political reasons.  Today’s effort by the Democratic Majority is not about workplace discrimination; it’s the first step in an effort to begin rewarding the special-interest allies who helped give the Democratic Party control of Washington.  These bills do not reflect the priorities of the American people; they reflect the narrow interests of the powerful trial lawyer industry that last year used its ill-gotten war chest to help the current majority tighten its grip on power.  It’s the same game plan Democratic leaders will use later in this Congress when they attempt to pass anti-worker legislation supported by their Big Labor allies to strip Americans of their right to secret ballot elections in the workplace.  At a time when families are being squeezed at every turn, it’s time for the Majority to abandon its cynical strategy of putting special interests ahead of workers.  Middle-class families and small businesses deserve better, and during these challenging days, both parties need to be working together to serve their interests, not reward political allies in Washington.”