On the recordJune 10, 2015
As we celebrate the 52nd anniversary of the passage of the Equal Pay Act, I rise today to reflect on our commitment to equality and the work ahead to turn this commitment into a reality. In 1963, our Nation declared that women deserved equal pay for equal work; yet, more than half a century later, we still have much work ahead to end pay discrimination against women. Today, women make just 77 cents for every dollar men earn, amounting to an $11,000 gap per year between full-time men and women. That is almost $1,000 each month to help with groceries, rent, and student loans. The workforce disparities have disastrous effects on our Nation. According to the Census Bureau, 1 in 3 women lives 200 percent below the Federal poverty line compared to 1 in 4 men, and of the more than 100 million Americans who live paycheck to paycheck, almost 70 percent of them are women and their children. Meanwhile, of the S&P 500 companies, women make up just 14.2 percent of their leadership positions, and only 24 companies have female CEOs. Women deserve a fair shot at the American Dream. I urge my colleagues to work with me to address these issues. Together, let's eliminate gender disparities in our workforce. ____________________
