Clinton, Obama to make stand on equal pay

Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are taking a break from the campaign trail this afternoon to head back to Capitol Hill.

The US Senate leadership is holding up a vote so the Democratic contenders can get their say on an issue of great interest to an important constituencies for the party -- equal pay for women, minorities, and others.

The legislation would reverse a controversial Supreme Court ruling and give workers the right to make pay discrimination claims as long as the practices continue. Last May, the high court ruled that an Alabama tire plant worker had not met a 180-day deadline to file a claim.

The votes of Clinton and Obama are crucial as Democratic leaders try to muster the 60 votes needed to overcome a threatened Republican filibuster. Both have issued proposals in recent days on equal pay.