On the recordApril 9, 2013
Today, April 9, is Equal Pay Day, the day on the calendar that marks more than 3 months into 2013 when women's wages finally catch up to what men earned in 2012. Nearly a half century after the passage of the Equal Pay Act, women continue to face unfairness in the workplace. According to the American Association of University Women, in Rhode Island's First Congressional District, women working full time, year round, still make only 83 cents on the dollar compared to the average man. For all the progress that we've made in the fight for women's rights, the issue of pay equity continues to persist. That's why I'm proud to voice my strong support for the Paycheck Fairness Act, a commonsense bill that would strengthen the Equal Pay Act by providing effective remedies for women who are not paid equal wages for equal work. It's time for us to prioritize the long-term well-being of the Nation's hardworking women, many of whom are heads of households, and immediately pass this critical legislation to help ensure equality in the workplace. ____________________
