[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 130 (Friday, August 1, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1697-E1698]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         PAYCHECK FAIRNESS ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 31, 2008

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 1338) to 
     amend

[[Page E1698]]

     the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to provide more 
     effective remedies to victims of discrimination in the 
     payment of wages on the basis of sex, and for other purposes.

  Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong 
support of the Paycheck Fairness Act (H.R. 1338). This is a historic 
day in the fight for equal rights for women, and I would like to thank 
Speaker Pelosi, Congresswoman DeLauro, and Chairman Miller for their 
leadership in this issue.
  Women have made great strides in the American workplace during the 
last quarter century. Women are now more likely to have advanced 
degrees, own businesses, and make up nearly half the workforce. When 
Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi was sworn in as Speaker of the House, women 
and young girls were inspired to know that there is no job a woman in 
this country cannot do. As we send our young female graduates into the 
workforce we must ensure that they receive equal pay for equal work.
  Although the wage gap has narrowed since the passage of the landmark 
Equal Pay Act in 1963, gender-based wage discrimination remains a 
problem for women in the workforce. It is unacceptable that women 
continue to earn just 77 cents for every dollar earned by men, and pay 
disparity can be even worse for minority women. This wage disparity 
will cost women anywhere from $400,000 to $2 million over a lifetime in 
lost wages. Furthermore, the wage disparity grows wider as women age 
and threatens their economic security, retirement, and quality of life.
  The Paycheck Fairness Act will make commonsense reforms to strengthen 
the Equal Pay Act and close the loopholes that have allowed employers 
to avoid responsibility for discriminatory pay. It would require 
employers seeking to justify unequal pay to bear the burden of proving 
that their actions are justified, and allow women to sue for punitive 
damages. This bill would also prohibit employers from retaliating 
against employees who share salary information with their co-workers. 
Finally, it would create a training program to help women strengthen 
their negotiation skills, and require the Department of Labor to work 
with employers to eliminate pay disparities by enhancing outreach and 
training efforts.
  The Paycheck Fairness Act recognizes that equal pay is not only an 
issue of fairness for women, but also one of fairness for working 
families. In these tough economic times, this bill could make all the 
difference for working families to make ends meet in their everyday 
lives. Through these efforts we can help give families the resources 
they need to give their children a better future. Pay equity should not 
be a benefit that needs to be bargained for, it is a promise that the 
Government must ensure.
  I urge my colleagues to rise in support of this bill to ensure 
economic security for women and their families. Through this 
legislation we can ensure a better future for our daughters, 
granddaughters, and generations to come.

                          ____________________