Final answer:
The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, signed into law by President Obama on January 29, 2009, expanded workers' rights to sue for equal pay discrimination and applies to discrimination based on gender, race, religion, disability, or age.
Step-by-step explanation:
The bill signed by President Obama that expanded workers' rights to sue employers on equal pay issues is the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. On January 29, 2009, this significant legislation was enacted to extend the period in which employees can bring a lawsuit against an employer for employment discrimination in compensation.
Importantly, this act overturned a prior Supreme Court decision, thereby resetting the statute of limitations for filing an equal pay lawsuit to six months after any discriminatory paycheck, rather than just the initial discriminatory decision on pay.
Furthermore, the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act applies to pay discrimination based on not only gender but also race, religion, disability, or age, broadening its impact.
This move was an example of checks and balances in the government, demonstrating the power balance between the legislative and judicial branches. The passage of the act was instrumental in providing a more just framework for addressing and remedying discriminatory compensation practices in the workplace.