[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16816]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     NATIONAL WORK AND FAMILY MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ALBIO SIRES

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 28, 2015

  Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, today I am proud to discuss the importance of 
America's working families. October is National Work and Family month 
and an opportune time to discuss how Congress can better serve our 
working families. In almost three out of five married families with 
children, both parents work. Supporting initiatives like raising the 
minimum wage, ensuring equal pay for women, and allowing workers access 
to affordable childcare is vital to ensuring the success of our working 
families.
  Raising the minimum wage is a critical step in closing the 
opportunity gap and building an economy that works for everyone. By 
raising the minimum wage, we can restore fairness for working men and 
women across the country. No hard working American should be forced to 
raise their family in poverty, but unfortunately the current minimum 
wage allows for just that. An increase in the minimum wage is not only 
the moral thing to do, but it would also provide a much-needed boost to 
our economy.
  Equal pay issues affect all workers in this country trying to provide 
for their families. Women make up 47% of the workforce and bring home 
44% of the family income, yet they earn 77 cents for every dollar 
earned by men. As women continue to make up a larger segment of our 
Nation's workforce, it is imperative that we ensure that pay disparity 
is related to job-performance instead of gender. Stronger protections 
and enforcement will lead to a more successful female workforce that is 
not bogged down by discrimination.
  Ensuring access to childcare and early education for working families 
is important to their success. The lack of good, affordable preschool 
and childcare options have huge impacts on working families, with a 
significant disadvantage to low-income families. Childcare and early 
education options allow for parents to continue working and provide 
children with a strong foundation. Yet, many low-income working 
families are not able to afford childcare and have difficulties 
receiving assistance, even though they may be eligible. Providing 
greater access to childcare and preschool is a crucial step towards 
ensuring job retention among parents while offering a foundation for 
children.
  Employing policies that ensure that all working families are afforded 
a fair chance to succeed should be something that Congress strives to 
achieve. I look forward to working with my colleagues to address these 
issues.

                          ____________________