Cooper Calls for Passage of Paycheck Fairness Act

WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper expressed support on Equal Pay Day for passing the critical Paycheck Fairness Act and closing the wage gap that still exists between women and men.

The Paycheck Fairness Act strengthens and closes loopholes in the 1963 Equal Pay Act. It provides effective remedies to women who are not being paid equal pay for equal work.

April 8 is Equal Pay Day to symbolize when, more than three months into the year, women’s wages finally catch up to what men were paid in the previous year. Nationwide, women earn only 77 cents for every dollar earned by men.

“Gender should never affect compensation,” Cooper said. “An honest day’s work should lead to an honest day’s pay for all.”

Cooper co-sponsored and voted for the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which became law in 2009. Currently, he cosponsors the Paycheck Fairness Act and the Equal Rights Amendment.