This is the response to an email I sent to Marco Rubio about voting FOR the Paycheck Fairness Act. I wanted others to read about his stance.
From: Do_Not_Reply@Rubio.senate.gov
To: msledhistory@hotmail.com
Subject: Responding to your message
Date: Mon, 10 Sep 2012 09:23:35 -0400
Dear Mrs. Ledbetter,
Thank you for taking the time to contact me about the Paycheck Fairness Act (S. 3220). I understand this is an important issue, and I appreciate hearing your thoughts. This legislation was introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) on May 22, 2012 and is intended to amend a portion of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 known as the Equal Pay Act.
Under the Equal Pay Act, once employees have provided evidence of discrimination in compensation based on sex, the employer must prove that the difference in wages is a result of "any other factor than sex." The Paycheck Fairness Act seeks to eliminate the "any other factor than sex" defense and replace it with "bona fide factor other than sex." The Paycheck Fairness Act would also remove the Equal Pay Act's limits on punitive and compensatory damages in cases of sex discrimination in compensation, in addition to facilitating class-action lawsuits in such cases.
Under the Paycheck Fairness Act, government and the courts would essentially dictate business practices to employers in areas which the courts have no business expertise. The Paycheck Fairness Act would provide millions of dollars for trial lawyers who initiate class-action suits, while bankrupting businesses throughout our country. This legislation would mean fewer jobs for Americans as a result of heightened legal risks for small business owners and a reduction in business competitiveness, and for this reason, I do not support the Paycheck Fairness Act.
On June 5, 2012 the U.S. Senate voted on the motion to proceed to the Paycheck Fairness Act (S. 3220), and the motion failed by a vote of 52-47. I voted against the motion to proceed to Paycheck Fairness Act.
Again, thank you for contacting me about this issue. I look forward to any thoughts or input you wish to share in the future.
Sincerely,
Marco Rubio
United States Senator