[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 8 (Wednesday, January 14, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E90]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         PAYCHECK FAIRNESS ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. STEPHEN F. LYNCH

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, January 9, 2009

  Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the 
Paycheck Fairness Act. This legislation will put an end to pay 
disparities based merely on gender and ensure that employee rights 
enforced through the Equal Pay Act fulfill the act's original intent. 
Specifically, this legislation will require employers to prove that pay 
disparities between men and women have a business justification.
  According to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau statistics, year-
round full-time female workers make 77.8 percent to the dollar of their 
male counterparts. Specifically, the median income for year-round full-
time male workers is $45,113. In contrast, the median income for year-
round full-time female workers is $35,102. Based solely on statistics 
from the U.S. Census Bureau, the apparent wage disparities between men 
and women clearly indicate that the provisions contained within the 
Equal Pay Act need to be revised.
  I believe that this legislation will strengthen current law to make 
certain that wage discrimination based on gender ceases to exist.
  Before I close, I would like to thank Representative Rosa DeLauro for 
having introduced this legislation since 1997 and praise her for being 
a champion of this issue.
  I urge all of my colleagues to join me in voting in support of this 
important measure to ensure its swift passage.

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