equal pay for equal work

In 1963, President John F. Kennedy signed the Equal Pay Act, requiring equal pay for equal work – regardless of ones gender. Yet, this February, 56 years later, I presided over a hearing on paycheck fairness.

Why?

Because loopholes and insufficient enforcement tools have allowed wage discrimination to persist. This discriminatory practice has caused undue hardship and poverty for too many women and families – particularly women of color.

Today is Equal Pay Day – the day when the average working woman has finally earned what her male counterpart earned in 2018.

In this Congress, the House has already taken action to address the persistent issue of wage discrimination and hold employers accountable. The Paycheck Fairness Act provides improved enforcement tools, bans retaliation against workers discussing their wages, and makes it easier for workers to challenge systemic pay discrimination.

I'm proud to have supported this legislation when it came up on the House floor. And for all of the women in the workforce, I hope the Senate takes up the bill soon.

Thank you for standing with me, and for equal pay for equal work.