[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 86 (Friday, June 8, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1036]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         PAYCHECK FAIRNESS ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SILVESTRE REYES

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, June 8, 2012

  Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Paycheck 
Fairness Act, a bill that strengthens the Equal Pay Act of 1963 and 
seeks to remedy the discrepancies in the wages of men and women in 
America.
  In 2009, the first bill that President Obama signed into law was the 
Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. Creating equal pay for women was one of 
the top priorities of Congress in 2009 and it was my honor to support 
this bill. The Lilly Ledbetter act pioneered the first steps at 
tackling the issue of sex-based discrimination, but our duty to 
American women in the workforce is not complete. Now more than ever, 
with women increasingly taking on the role as the breadwinner in many 
American households, this issue no longer affects just women; it 
affects entire families. For almost 50 years, we have been combating 
this issue. In El Paso women make up 45 percent of the labor force, 
with similar numbers around the country, but women earn only 77 cents 
on the dollar compared to men. If this gap in earnings is not reduced, 
everyday expenses, the ability to support their families and retirement 
funds will be negatively affected.
  Continuing his commitment to securing equal pay for women, President 
Obama is pressing for us to turn this basic right, equal pay for equal 
effort, into a reality with the Paycheck Fairness Act. With the 
creation of the National Equal Pay Task Force that is cracking down on 
any violations of equal pay laws, the President is pressing forward 
with his efforts. Like President Obama, we must continue to fight for 
equal payment opportunities for our nation's women and in turn their 
families. Senate Republicans are blocking passage of the Paycheck 
Fairness Act which advocates for the fair treatment of almost half of 
our labor force. I support the Paycheck Fairness Act and its intent to 
increase penalties against those who participate in gender-based 
discrimination, and I urge Senate Republicans to stop their resistance 
on this issue.