“When your employer decides to discriminate against you, he or she does not send you an email.”

That’s how I began my testimony on the Lilly Ledbetter bill.

The Supreme Court said that the law required you to sue within 180 days of the first illegal act, whether or not you knew or should have known that your rights had been violated.

The Congress, recognizing the realities of the workplace, decided that you can obtain back pay and other relief for violations that occurred up to two years before you file a complaint.

Twelve months ago, when I first spoke before this committee, I was probably the only legislator in the room who knew who Lilly Ledbetter was. Not this time around.

A bill signing at the White House has done wonders for her name recognition.

And the hearing today appeared to do well for the prospects of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act of 2009.