Kirsten Gillibrand, who took over Hillary Clinton’s Senate seat when she moved to the State Department, seems to be picking up where her predecessor left off.

The lawmaker confirmed yesterday that she’ll fight for the Paycheck Fairness Act, a federal measure that would allow female employees to look at their male peers’ paychecks and make sure they’re being equally compensated. It was one of former Sen. Clinton’s main priorities.

Said Gillibrand on the Act, according to WNYC, "It’s such a travesty for our family, because when our families don’t have access to that income that’s deserved, it literally translates to quality of child care, quality of health care, quality of education."

The act goes further than the recently passed Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. This new measure would protect employees who want to know their colleague’s salaries and would allow punitive damages, rather than just compensation for dollars withheld.

Gillibrand and Secretary of State Clinton’s universes came together last week, when Clinton allies threw a fundraiser for the new Senator. Even former President Bill Clinton made an appearance. Some estimated the event brought in $250,000. Good thing, too, because some New York Democrats are looking into running Gillibrand out of town come 2010.

Ten lawmakers sent a letter to New York Democratic Party chairwoman June O’Neill and asked her to stay out of their way, "Some of the co-signers of this letter may support Senator Gillibrand. Some are considering running for the seat. Others remain undecided. However, each of us wants a Democrat to win in a process that is fair, open and inclusive." That means, they say, that the party shouldn’t fund Gillibrand in any way, shape or form. Ouch.