[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 6786-6787]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               H.R. 1338--THE PAYCHECK FAIRNESS ACT 2008

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 23, 2008

  Ms. LEE. Madam Speaker, today is Equal Pay Day. As a cosponsor and 
strong supporter of H.R. 1338, the Paycheck Fairness Act, I rise to 
join my colleague, Congresswoman DeLauro in calling for passage of this 
important bill. This legislation strengthens the current Equal Pay Act 
of 1963 and represents another important step in our Nation's efforts 
to end gender based wage discrimination.
  Since the Equal Pay Act was signed into law over 45 years ago, the 
wage gap has narrowed less than half a cent per year. African American 
women earn just 63 cents on the dollar, and Hispanic American women 
fare worse, at 52 cents. As women grow older, the wage gap widens: 
women aged 45 to 64, who are preparing for retirement, earn only 71 
percent of what men do. At the current rate the wage gap is closing, 
the Institute for Women's Policy Research estimates equity will not be 
achieved until 2057.
  Given that 41 percent of women provide the sole source of income for 
their families, lower incomes affect their ability to pay for 
essentials like groceries, doctor's visits, and child care. Current 
increases in gas prices, rising foods costs, and a stagnant job market 
are especially impacting women during these difficult economic times.
  The Paycheck Fairness Act will enhance enforcement of equal pay 
requirements by allowing women to sue for compensatory and punitive 
damages if wage discrimination is proven.

[[Page 6787]]

This measure alone will compensate women for years of discrimination, 
and send a clear signal to employers that wage discrimination will not 
be tolerated.
  Moreover, H.R. 1338 enhances training and community outreach programs 
that will educate employees, labor organizations, and the general 
public on ways to effectively negotiate salaries and benefits. These 
programs will develop a new generation of self-reliant women in the 
workforce.
  Finally this bill recognizes employers who proactively adjust their 
wage scales to ensure that women are paid fairly in comparison to men. 
The Paycheck Fairness Act outlines measurable actions; and furthermore, 
it ensures that nationally we are addressing and working to rectify 
years of gender based wage discrimination.
  In my home State of California, women earn only $55,000 compared to 
their male counterparts who earn $72,000 with an equivalent education 
level. While I am disappointed that California has one of the largest 
disparities in pay rates between men and women, this is a national 
problem that we must rectify.
  Ensuring that women receive equal pay for equal work is a matter of 
basic fairness that affects all working women and their families. I 
urge all of my colleagues to support this very critical piece of 
legislation, and I applaud Congresswoman DeLauro for continuing to 
highlight the importance of passing this bill.

                          ____________________