[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 17 (Wednesday, January 29, 2014)]
[House]
[Pages H1484-H1485]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         PAYCHECK FAIRNESS ACT

  (Mrs. BUSTOS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mrs. BUSTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mark the fifth anniversary 
of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, a critical law that championed the 
principle of equal pay for equal work.
  While this law made strides in closing the wage gap, across the 
country, women still earn 77 cents for every dollar a man makes for the 
exact same work. This gap results in more than

[[Page H1485]]

$11,000 less that a woman makes every year. That means women are 
essentially working 84 days for free while a man takes home a paycheck.
  In the district of Illinois that I serve, women make even less than 
that. They make approximately 70 cents on the dollar. Keep in mind that 
number is figured for the same work, just with much, much less income.
  Equal pay is not simply a women's issue; it is an issue for the 
middle class and working families. When women bring home more, they are 
able to provide better for their families.
  Because equal pay for equal work would benefit hardworking families 
across my region, across the State of Illinois, and across the country, 
it is time that Congress pass the Paycheck Fairness Act.

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