Last week, Senate Republicans blocked further action on the so-called “Paycheck Fairness Act,” effectively defeating the bill this year. The legislation, which was also defeated in 2010, would have created new litigation options, including punitive damages, in gender-based wage discrimination lawsuits. The business community opposes this approach arguing that it is unnecessary and will lead to increased litigation. Knowing that the legislation had little chance of being considered in the Republican-controlled House, many observers believe that Senate Democrats scheduled this action now as an election year move to appeal to women voters and discredit Republicans.