Annie Kuster: “One of the most common stories I hear from my constituents is the struggle to survive from paycheck to paycheck and to…”

“One of the most common stories I hear from my constituents is the struggle to survive from paycheck to paycheck and to support their families. Maria Shriver's new report detailing the economic challenges for women in America is in the news this week, and its findings are shocking. We face the alarming reality that one in three women either live in poverty or are right on the brink. Two-thirds of the primary or co- breadwinners in American families are women, yet women earn just 77 cents for every dollar earned by men performing the same jobs. Ensuring that men and women receive equal pay for equal work isn't just a matter of fairness; it is a matter of economic necessity. Especially in these tough economic times, smaller paychecks and lack of paid family leave for women make it harder for mothers to support their families, purchase health care, send their kids to college, and save for retirement. Congress must take the next step and institute new policies that support women and their families. As a Nation, we can and must do better. ____________________”