Political Quotes

“I rise today to introduce the Athletics Fair Pay Act of 2019 with my colleague Senator Murray. Women and girls have made great strides in sports. Before Title IX of the Civil Rights Act was passed 47 years ago, athletic programs for girls and young women were virtually nonexistent. Now, women are world class athletes and compete in a wide range of sports including soccer, basketball, hockey, and tennis. In the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, a record 45 percent of the athletes competing at the games were women, and this year, the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team won a historic fourth FIFA Women's World Cup title. Despite the incredible advancements made by women in sports, female athletes are paid significantly less than their male counterparts and are given fewer opportunities to succeed. Sports organizations in the United States still do not invest equally in girls' and women's athletics. This lack of investment means that many female athletes never reach their full potential. In addition, studies show that sports participation has a positive influence on girls' academic performance, employment opportunities, and their physical and mental health. The inequities faced by female athletes were highlighted in a wage discrimination lawsuit recently filed by the U.S. Women's Soccer Team against their employer, the U.S. Soccer Federation.…”