Political Quotes

On the recordApril 9, 2013
America's daughters deserve better. Today, in the United States, women make only 77 cents for every dollar their male peers earn. In my home State of Illinois, women earn nearly $12,000 a year less than their male counterparts. During my service in the Army, compared to my male counterparts, I received equal pay for equal work. This policy of fairness has helped make our military the strongest, fiercest in the world. Pay discrimination doesn't just hurt women; it hurts working families in towns like Itasca and Elgin, Illinois. I know that my neighbors in the Eighth Congressional District believe that their daughters deserve better than this. Pay equality for women is not only the right thing to do, but it will make our economy stronger; it will make our families stronger; it will make America stronger. So, on Equal Pay Day, let us recommit ourselves to doing everything in our power to end pay inequality for our country. Congress needs to act now and pass the Paycheck Fairness Act so that women have the opportunity to stand up to this discrimination. ____________________
Said by
Tammy Duckworth
Democratic · Illinois

Share

More from Tammy Duckworth

Jul 9, 2026

This rule would derail American innovation and competitiveness at the local and national levels, kill good-paying American jobs, drive up costs for families, and halt essential projects in local communities.

duckworth.senate.gov
Jul 17, 2026

But our work to deliver clean water for all is not finished. There’s more work to be done, and I’m proud several key priorities that I fought for were included in this year’s legislation that passed the Environment and Public Works…

duckworth.senate.gov
Jul 3, 2026

I’m looking forward to building on my work meeting with business leaders in Japan to strengthen existing partnerships, attract new investment and continue promoting Illinois on a global stage.

duckworth.senate.gov
Jul 17, 2026

This bipartisan bill reaffirms the Senate’s commitment to a simple principle: safe, reliable drinking water is not a luxury—it’s a necessity that everyone deserves, no matter their zip code.

duckworth.senate.gov

Other voices in this conversation