[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 55 (Tuesday, April 12, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Page S1882]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         NATIONAL EQUAL PAY DAY

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, we are 102 days into 2016, but because of 
wage discrimination, working American women are still stuck in 2015. 
Today is National Equal Pay Day, a date that symbolizes how far into 
the year women must work to earn what their male counterparts earned 
last year for doing the very same work. That is because, on average, 
women make only 79 cents for every $1 their male colleagues make doing 
the very same job. That means our wives, daughters, and granddaughters 
have to work an additional 3 months and 11 days to make the same salary 
their male counterparts make in a single year.
  This pay disparity between men and women for doing the same work is 
known as the wage gap and it is to our national shame. No woman should 
make less money than a man for doing the exact same work.
  Democrats have tried repeatedly to pass Senator Barbara Mikulski's 
Paycheck Fairness Act, which would provide women with the tools they 
need to close this wage gap. The Republicans have made it clear they 
have no intention of fighting wage discrimination. They have 
stonewalled Senator Mikulski's legislation five times in recent years--
five filibusters--and when Republicans finally got around to offering 
legislation they claim will address this important economic issue, it 
is anemic and devoid of actual reform.
  The bills offered by the junior Senators from New Hampshire and 
Nebraska are a case in point because the legislation does nothing to 
close loopholes employers use to justify paying discriminatory wages, 
it does nothing to help victims of wage discrimination recoup lost 
income, and it does nothing to incentivize employers to follow the law. 
This legislation is only designed to look good, to say they are trying 
to do something about this, when in fact it does nothing. Just about 
the only thing the Ayotte and Fischer bills actually do is make it 
harder for women to discuss wage discrimination at work. Their 
respective bills so narrowly define what a woman can and cannot say 
about wage discrimination that it completely ignores the reality of the 
situation.
  Factually, many women learn of wage disparities through casual 
conversation at work. In the famous Lilly Ledbetter case, that is how 
she learned about it. They shouldn't be punished for realizing they are 
being discriminated against by their own employer. In short, the Ayotte 
and Fischer bills will not close the wage gap. Where the Republican 
legislation fails, the Mikulski Paycheck Fairness Act succeeds.
  The Paycheck Fairness Act would help close the wage disparity by 
empowering women to negotiate for equal pay. This bill would give 
workers stronger tools to combat wage discrimination and bar 
retaliation against employees for discussing salary information. This 
legislation would help secure adequate compensation for victims of 
gender-based pay discrimination. These are commonsense proposals that 
are supported by the American people--not just women.
  Later today President Obama will announce the designation of the 
Belmont-Paul Women's Equality National Monument, which is located a few 
hundred yards from where I stand. Formally known as the Sewall-Belmont 
House and Museum, this national monument will honor the work of the 
National Women's Party founder Alice Paul, who rewrote the Equal Rights 
Amendment. I think it is important that is done. President Obama says 
this designation is a reminder of the many women who have fought for 
equality.
  As we recognize Equal Pay Day, I hope my Republican colleagues will 
come to their senses and address this injustice that hurts millions of 
American families. Working women deserve more than just a half measure 
from Republicans. They deserve our best efforts to right this egregious 
wrong, because American women deserve equal pay.
  I apologize to my distinguished friend from Vermont for having him 
wait while Senator McConnell and I were having conversations on the 
floor.

                          ____________________