The Paycheck Fairness Act, an Act that would have made employers liable for unlimited punitive damages for any pay disparities, and restrict an employer's ability to compensate workers for cost-of-living differences among geographic locations, among other things, has been blocked. The bill fell two votes short of the 60 votes needed for it to move to the Senate, 58-41.

The proposed Act had come under fire from various business groups, including the US Chamber of Commerce. One labor attorney described the Paycheck Fairness Act as having the potential to cripple companies, especially smaller businesses. This is because the PFA has no ceiling whatsoever on damages.

For now those concerned are breathing a sigh of relief. The soonest that this matter is likely to come up again is before the 112th Congress that is coming up in January 2011.

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