[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 47 (Tuesday, March 14, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E214]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           INTRODUCTION OF THE PAY EQUITY FOR ALL ACT OF 2023

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                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 14, 2023

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise to introduce the Pay Equity for All 
Act of 2023, which would help reduce 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. In the last two Congresses, the House has passed this bill as 
part of the Paycheck Fairness Act.
  This bill would help ensure that salaries are based on skills and 
merit, not on salary history, by assessing penalties against employers 
that 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 that violate these provisions.
  There is much work to be done to address the wage gap. This bill 
would be an important step in reducing the wage gap.
  I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

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