Tom Harkin: “this amendment is the Paycheck Fairness Act, which was introduced under Senator Daschle's leadership. It addresses an…”

“this amendment is the Paycheck Fairness Act, which was introduced under Senator Daschle's leadership. It addresses an important economic issue--an issue that affects women, working families, retirees and America's children. I'm talking about the wage gap between women and men and how this legislation would work to close it. You might think since Congress passed the Equal Pay Act in 1963, the wage gap wouldn't exist. But women are still paid only 73 cents for every dollar a white man earns. Part of the problem is that we need to do a better job of enforcing that law. That's why I am a proud cosponsor of this bill that would strengthen the Equal Pay Act. This legislation would allow those who win their wage discrimination claims in court, to collect punitive and compensatory damages. It would put new money into employer education and honor employers with best practices. And, it would ensure that women can not be retaliated against by their employers for sharing pay information. Senator Daschle's bill is a modest but needed step in ending pay discrimination.”