Deborah Koff Ross: “This bill is not just about the past, it is about the future. Gender-based wage discrimination exists in every State and…”

“This bill is not just about the past, it is about the future. Gender-based wage discrimination exists in every State and in many industries. In the tech industry, which has a huge presence in my district in North Carolina's Research Triangle, women typically make thousands of dollars less than men in the same roles. Unsurprisingly, women in tech often leave the industry due to unfair compensation, much to that industry's detriment. Pay inequity also follows women into retirement. Women have, on average, only 70 percent of the retirement income men have. One of the best ways we can help close the wage gap is through salary negotiation training, which is one of the key provisions of this bill. I am thankful to groups like Ladies Get Paid and countless others working to empower women to help them advocate for their work. I urge my colleagues to support this bill for the sake of future generations. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record this letter from the National Council of Jewish Women. National Council of Jewish Women, Washington, DC, April 14, 2021. House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Representative: On behalf of our 180,000 members, advocates, and supporters, National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) urges you to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act (H.R. 7) without amendments that limit its scope or undermine its critical protections. NCJW is a grassroots organization of volunteers and advocates who turn progressive ideals into action.…”