Today, I negotiated an armistice on Lilly Ledbetter.

An armistice is a cessation of hostilities. It is not a peace treaty.

As I’ve written before, my bill would make Maryland’s civil rights law on equal pay identical to the federal legislation that President Obama signed into law.

The Senate version of this measure was debated in that body this week. Senator Jamie Raskin, the bill’s sponsor, told me about his discussions with the Republican leader.

I made two suggestions.

First, don’t accept any changes that affect the most important part of the bill. Workers in Maryland must be treated the same as they are under the federal law. That goal was accomplished.

Second, if you reach agreement with the Senate Republicans, they should ask their House colleagues to accept these amendments as well and seek no other changes to the bill.

They don’t have to vote for the bill. We’re just asking that they don’t delay or prevent its passage by proposing any further amendments.

I decided to take matters into my own hands. I spoke to one House Republican leader, then another. My version of shuttle diplomacy.

I am pleased to report that an armistice is at hand.