Senator Weinberg, Assemblywoman Lampitt Blast Joe Kyrillos For Writing Off Paycheck Equity Legislation As A “Trial Lawyer’s Bill

Sponsors of legislation say Kyrillos’ condescension toward women proves he is wrong for New Jerse. In a joint statement, N.J. Senator Loretta Weinberg (D-Teaneck) and Assemblywoman Pamela Lampitt (D-Cherry Hill) blasted their colleague State Senator Joe Kyrillos (R-Middletown) for a calling the paycheck equity legislation they sponsored a “trial lawyer’s bill” during a debate with U.S. Senator Bob Menendez Wednesday.

“Try as he may to portray himself as a defender of women, Joe Kyrillos’ betrayed himself tonight by dismissing our pay equity bill as a "trial lawyer’s bill" that allows ‘businessmen’ to be sued and be forced ‘to watch things more carefully.’ This condescension toward workingwomen who deserve fairness at work is exactly the reason why Joe Kyrillos is wrong for New Jersey. Senator Menendez did not hesitate to support the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act because he shares our disgust that women currently make 77 cents on a dollar, less if they are women of color, than their male counterparts. Without recourse to our courts of law, women–and indeed all individuals – are rendered powerless against discriminating employers. But that means nothing to Joe Kyrillos. Senator Menendez has always been a fighter for advancing women’s equality in the workplace, and that is only one of the reasons why Senator Menendez has my support and the support of so many women throughout New Jersey.”