[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 46 (Tuesday, April 9, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E401]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       THE PAYCHECK FAIRNESS ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ANNA G. ESHOO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 9, 2013

  Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, today is Equal Pay Day--the day that 
symbolizes when, more than three months into the year, the average 
woman's yearly income finally catches up to what a man was paid in a 
previous year. Getting paid fairly for the work you do is tough for 
almost everyone, but, for women, it's particularly difficult.
  Women earn an average of 77 cents for every dollar earned by men, 
costing women and their families up to $2 million over a woman's 
working lifetime. With a record number of women in the workforce, wage 
discrimination is hurting the majority of American families, both in 
terms of their economic security today and their retirement security 
tomorrow. Families have fewer resources to pay the mortgage, send kids 
to college, or have a decent retirement.
  If the United States had an adopted policy of equal pay, it would put 
$200 billion more into the economy every year. This comes out to about 
$137 for every white woman per pay check, and approximately $300 for 
every woman of color, who are doubly discriminated against.
  Today, there are an unprecedented number of women who are the 
breadwinners of their families. This makes pay equity even more 
critical, not simply to family economic security, but also to our 
nation's economy.
  As we look for ways to create more jobs and grow the economy, it's 
astounding to me that Congress has not yet passed legislation ensuring 
equal pay for equal work. It's a powerful policy which would produce 
enormously positive economic outcomes.
  The Paycheck Fairness Act ensures that employers who try to justify 
paying a man more than a woman for the same job must demonstrate that 
the disparity is not sex-based, but job-related and necessary. It 
prohibits employers from retaliating against employees who discuss or 
disclose their own salary information with their co-workers, and it 
strengthens the remedies available to wronged employees.
  Pay inequity due to gender discrimination is real, it should not be 
tolerated, and we need to take action against it.

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