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and their families that Pete Hoekstra thinks a law that guarantees equal pay for equal work is a nuisance and should be repealed,” said Mark Brewer, Chair of the MI Democratic Party.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.

Mitt Romney’s Campaign on Whether Romney Supports the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act: ‘We’ll Get Back To You On That.’

From Michigan Democratic Party

LANSING – On a press call this morning, Mitt Romney’s campaign was asked if Mitt Romney supports the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. Their response to the question was, “We’ll get back to you on that.” The Michigan Democratic Party released the following statement on the Romney campaign’s failure to take a position on this important legislation:

“The first piece of legislation President Obama signed into law was the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which goes to the heart of the equal pay issue, giving women the power to challenge discrimination where they work.  The President’s position on this issue is simple: equal pay for equal work.

“Mitt Romney’s position on equal pay for women: ‘We’ll get back to you on that.’ That’s not an answer that gives Michigan women any confidence that Mitt Romney would stand up for them and that’s not an answer that gives Michigan families any confidence that Mitt Romney is committed to restoring middle class security. If women earn less, Michigan families are worse off.

“If Mitt Romney doesn’t have a position on this basic question of economic fairness, how can the people of Michigan take him seriously on the most pressing issues facing our country: Ensuring hard work and responsibility is rewarded, everyone does their fair share, and everyone plays by the same rules.

“If a bill to repeal the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act were in front of Romney, would he veto it or sign it? We already know that Mitt Romney believes we should turn back the clock on women’s health care and that he has been suspiciously silent on his hero – Governor Scott Walker – restricting Wisconsin women’s ability to enforce in court their right to equal pay. This is just further proof of Romney’s extreme positions, how they are continuing, and how he can’t walk away from them.  His attempts to etch-a-sketch his extreme positions won’t work, especially with women in Michigan.”