Washington, DC – Today, Democratic Women's Caucus (DWC) Co-Chairs Congresswomen Brenda Lawrence (MI-14), Jackie Speier (CA-14), and Lois Frankel (FL-21), and Vice Chairs Congresswomen Veronica Escobar (TX-16) and Sylvia Garcia (TX-29) applauded the final passage of H.R. 7, the Paycheck Fairness Act, landmark legislation to help ensure women finally receive equal pay for equal work.
“Gender-based wage discrimination is real. The gender and racial wealth gaps are real. Those who argue against that ignore the awful reality that women, especially women of color, face in the workforce,” said Rep. Lawrence. “Today, I’m proud to join my House colleagues in correcting this injustice by passing the Paycheck Fairness Act. Let’s level the playing field and bring fairness and equity to women and families who have been shortchanged for far too long. We must build back better with women front and center.”
“The women of America are sick and tired of being denied the equal pay they deserve,” said Rep. Speier. “Women and their families should not have to live in poverty, or have less money for child care, rent, food, and education, because their boss is getting their labor at a bargain price. We are not second-rate citizens and demand that our equal value, dignity, and humanity be recognized. The Paycheck Fairness Act is the lifeline women need to finally ensure equal pay for equal work.”
“The Paycheck Fairness Act takes a giant step toward the moral and legal imperative of closing the gender wage gap” said Rep. Frankel. “It’s far past time for our mothers, daughters, and sisters to be paid fairly for a hard day’s work.”
“Working women – especially women of color – continue to suffer pay disparities while bearing the brunt of the coronavirus health and economic crisis. This is shameful and violates our nation’s values of fairness and equity,” said Rep. Escobar. “To eradicate gender-based pay discrimination and ensure American families get back on their feet, I am proud to have voted for passage of the Paycheck Fairness Act today. I commend Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro for her steadfast commitment to equality and look forward to working with the Democratic Senate and President Biden to enact this historic legislation.”
“Women have been at the frontlines of this pandemic, as grocery store clerks, teachers, medical workers, and the backbone of our communities, they have also received unequal pay,” said Rep. Garcia. “We demand that our pay be not just equal to our male counterparts- but just. The Paycheck Fairness Act is what women need to ensure equal pay for equal work.”
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