Virginia Foxx: “I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this amendment, which was also introduced…”

“I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this amendment, which was also introduced earlier this week by Representative Stefanik as a standalone bill, H.R. 2491, the Wage Equity Act of 2021. Unlike the so-called Paycheck Fairness Act, which will unfairly punish businessowners and reward trial lawyers at the expense of workers, this amendment will effectively address pay discrimination in the workplace and help working women by ensuring pay differences among workers of the opposite sex are due to legitimate business-related reasons. Among other commonsense provisions, this amendment will direct funds and research towards women's advancement in the workplace and will also authorize a grant program to educate women in college careers and technical programs on negotiating pay. This amendment will also allow job applicants to disclose prior salary history voluntarily, ensuring they control this information as they see fit. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.”