[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 53 (Tuesday, April 14, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Page S2142]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         NATIONAL EQUAL PAY DAY

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, people at home cannot see it, but every desk 
here on the Senate floor has a name on it. Mine says ``Mr. Reid.'' 
Right behind me is one that says ``Mrs. Murray.'' To my right is one 
that says ``Mr. McConnell.'' Why do I mention this? Today is National 
Equal Pay Day, a day that symbolizes how far into 2015 American women 
must work to earn what their male counterparts earned in 2014. That day 
is today. Women basically worked for nothing until today. This pay 
disparity between men and women doing the same work is known as the 
wage gap. Unlike the desks here in the Chamber, the wage gap does not 
bear a visible stamp of ownership, but make no mistake--Republicans in 
Congress absolutely own the wage gap. Their names are all over it. The 
Republicans' refusal to address income disparities makes them 
responsible for the additional 3 months and 14 days that American women 
work to earn what their male counterparts earn doing the exact same 
work at the exact same time.
  Who are these working American women who are being forced to work for 
months just to catch up on wages? They are our daughters, our wives, 
our granddaughters, and our neighbors. Republicans' repeated 
filibusters of equal pay legislation makes them responsible for working 
women in our families having to make due on 78 cents for every dollar 
their male counterparts make.
  Democrats have tried repeatedly to pass Senator Mikulski's Paycheck 
Fairness Act, which would take away the disparity. It is pretty simple: 
If a man and a woman do the same work--no different--they should be 
paid the same amount of money. Very simple. We repeatedly tried to pass 
this simple legislation. This legislation provides working American 
women with the tools they need to close the wage gap. Yet, time and 
time again, Republicans have stonewalled this most basic issue of 
fairness. Five years ago, the Republicans filibustered the Paycheck 
Fairness Act. Two years later, the Republicans did the same thing. Last 
year, they blocked the bill two times. Just last month in the budget 
debate, Senator Mikulski gave the Republicans another chance. Once 
again, the Republicans blocked it. Five times in 5 years Republicans 
have blocked equal pay for women. Five times in 5 years Republicans 
have told their very own sisters, daughters, and wives, and, of course, 
their grandchildren that they are not interested in fixing this unfair 
income disparity. That is why I say the Republicans own the wage gap. 
They own it.
  Today, as we recognize Equal Pay Day, I hope my Republican colleagues 
come to their senses and address this injustice which is hurting 
millions of American families.
  American women deserve equal pay for equal work. My daughter deserves 
equal pay for equal work.
  Would the Presiding Officer announce the business of the day.

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