[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 51 (Monday, March 25, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E346]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           INTRODUCTION OF THE PAY EQUITY FOR ALL ACT OF 2019

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                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 25, 2019

  Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I rise to introduce the Pay Equity for All 
Act of 2019, a bill that will help eliminate the gender and racial pay 
gap by prohibiting employers from asking job applicants for their 
salary history before making a job or salary offer. Even though many 
employers may not intentionally discriminate against applicants or 
employees based on gender, race or ethnicity, setting wages based on 
salary history can reinforce the wage gap. Members of historically 
disadvantaged groups often start their careers with unfair and 
artificially low wages compared to their white male counterparts, and 
the disparities are compounded from job to job throughout their 
careers. I am grateful that the text of the Pay Equity for All Act was 
included in the Paycheck Fairness Act (H.R. 7). Representatives Rosa 
DeLauro, Jerry Nadler and Jackie Speier are cosponsors of the Pay 
Equity for All Act.
  The Pay Equity for All Act will ensure that applicants' salaries are 
based on their skills and merit, not on salary history, by assessing 
penalties against employers who ask applicants for their salary history 
during the interview process or as a condition of employment. It would 
also provide job applicants and employees with a private right of 
action against employers who violate these provisions.
  There is much work to be done to address the wage gap. Our bill is an 
important step toward addressing these disparities.
  I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

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