[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 103 (Wednesday, July 11, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1231]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF EQUAL PAY FOR WOMEN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DANNY K. DAVIS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 11, 2012

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, as we mark the 40th anniversary 
of Title IX--the historic law establishing equal access to education 
for women, I would like to take a moment to recognize the importance of 
equal pay for equal work, another federal policy that is essential to 
providing equal opportunity for women in our country. The contemporary 
push for women's rights began with the passage of the Equal Pay Act of 
1963. Although this statute was a great advancement for women in 
society, much work remains to strengthen the reality of equal pay for 
women. For example, in 1963, women earned sixty cents for every dollar 
a man made. Today, according to the latest Census statistics, women 
only earn seventy-seven cents for every dollar a man makes--progress 
but still an egregiously-unfair and unequal disparity. Equal pay is the 
foundation for economic well-being and security. Policymakers must take 
action to ensure that equity in pay is a national priority.
  In 2009, the 111th Congress took strides to further close the gender 
discrimination gap in the professional work environment by passing The 
Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act into law. This law initiated great 
improvements for women in the workforce, such as allowing a time frame 
extension to file lawsuits against employers for wage discrepancies. 
However, additional protections are needed, which is why Democratic 
lawmakers are advancing the Paycheck Fairness Act. The Paycheck 
Fairness Act strengthens the equality provisions within the Lilly 
Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and eliminates the loopholes not seen in the 
past. For example, it increases penalties on employers who violate 
federal law and allows women to pursue legal matters if they are 
treated unjustly. The legislation also ensures equality in the tax code 
so that everyone--male and female, high-income earners and those living 
in poverty--pays their respective tax rate. Fairness should be 
applicable to all, in wages and in taxes. The Paycheck Fairness Act 
provides effective remedies to women who are not being paid equal wages 
for equal work, and Congress should pass the bill as soon as possible.
  Equality in pay is an issue of civil rights. Women represent more 
than half of the workforce, and they deserve the full-amount of 
earnings for their work. Loss of hundreds of thousands of dollars over 
a lifetime due to unequal pay undermines the economic security of women 
and our nation. I will continue to steadfastly support and advance 
legislation that promotes gender equality and civil fairness.

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