The long-discussed Paycheck Fairness Act failed to clear a key Senate hurdle today, effectively killing the prospects for the bill in this Congressional session and likely for the foreseeable future.  The Washington DC Employment Law Update has further details here.  

Long-time Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn, 3rd) has been a leading sponsor of the bill and she has a long and distinguished career in the House.

The bill would have amended federal law by removing many of the defenses that employers can use to justify a difference in salary between a male and female worker.  

With a Republican majority in the upcoming House session, it is unlikely that this bill will see passage anytime soon.