The act did not pass because it fell short of the 60 votes needed to invoke cloture to consider the legislation.

The purpose of the bill was “to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to provide more effective remedies to victims of discrimination in the payment of wages on the basis of sex, and for other purposes.”

Hawaii Sens. Dan Inouye and Dan Akaka were among 52 members voting in favor, and the vote was heavily along party lines.

—Chad Blair

Photo courtesy  cliff1066™.