Legislative Update I

While Barack Obama won't be inaugurated until next Tuesday, Congress is already hard back at work (or, at least, back at work):

The House of Representatives passed two pay discrimination bills. The first, the Lilly Ledbetter Act, would reverse a 2007 Supreme Court ruling that a worker must file claims of wage discrimination within 180 days of the first decision to pay that worker less, even if the person was unaware of the pay disparity. The second, the Paycheck Fairness Act, would close loopholes that have enabled employers to evade the 1963 law requiring equal pay for equal work. Both were passed essentially on party lines, sadly but unsurprisingly. As long as these get through the Senate, they will of course be signed by the incoming president when he takes office.

Just earlier today, a Senate bill that would boost wildnerness protection across 2 million acres in nine states survived GOP stalling tactics. It should pass later this week.