Hoekstra: Ledbetter Equal Pay Act a “Nuisance” that “Shouldn’t be Law”

From the Michigan Democratic Party

LANSING – At the Commune restaurant in Royal Oak yesterday, former Congressman Pete Hoekstra told supporters how he really feels about the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, a law that ensures that women will get equal pay for equal work. According to Representative Hoekstra, the law is a “nuisance” and would support its repeal if elected.

Click here for audio (“nuisance” at 00:28 mark).

“It’s insulting to women and their families that Pete Hoekstra thinks a law that guarantees equal pay for equal work is a nuisance and should be repealed,” said Mark Brewer, Chair of the MI Democratic Party. “When women are discriminated against, and paid less for the same job, it damages our economy and our community. Repealing this absolutely critical protection for women would be yet another blow against middle class families fighting to make ends meet.”

Question: Will you work to repeal the Ledbetter Act, or will you support, if elected to office?

Hoekstra: Will, you know, will repealing it be a priority? If you came back and said, you know, that’s really the thing that’s hurting my business the most. My guess is there are other things that we can do that have a higher priority in terms of what I, what I believe might need to be done. I think you know we need to create - that thing is a nuisance. It shouldn’t be the law.”

Background: Over the course of his eighteen years in Congress, Rep. Hoekstra consistently voted against the economic interests of women. He stood up for policies that would allow insurance companies to deny coverage for mammograms and prenatal tests, and require women to bear the full cost of contraception. He voted against the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act in 2009.