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DeLauro Praises Senate Passage of Resolution in Support of Equal Pay for U.S. Soccer Players

May 26, 2016

WASHINGTON, DC (May 26, 2016) Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) today commends the United States Senate for passing S. Res. 462, a Resolution urging the United States Soccer Federation to eliminate gender pay inequity, and calls on the House of Representatives to pass its companion immediately. Recently, five players on the U.S. Women's National Team filed a complaint against the U.S. Soccer Federation to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, citing the fact that they earn as little as 40 percent of what players on the U.S. Men's National Team earn.

"Paying people fairly for the work they do should not be dependent on their gender and U.S. Soccer should correct this injustice for all current and future players," said Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro. "I urge my colleagues in the House to pass this Resolution in calling on the U.S. Soccer federation to expeditiously eliminate gender pay disparities in the organization and to treat all athletes equally. Equal pay for equal work should not just be an ideal we strive for, but a reality."

The pay gap within the U.S. Soccer federation is a reflection of the reality women across the country face today. Women make up half the workforce, and are two-thirds of primary or co-breadwinners in America. Yet, after more than five decades after the passage of the Equal Pay Act of 1963, a woman still makes only 79 cents, on average, for every dollar earned by a man. That gap is even wider for women of color. Compared to white men, African American women are paid 60 cents, Native American women are paid 59 cents, and Hispanic Women are paid 55 cents.

The U.S. Women's National Team is world renowned. Last year, the team produced nearly $20 million in revenues and secured a World Cup victory. In the process, the team broke television rating records, delivering 25.4 million viewers in the final match alone, as compared to the men's record of 18.2 million in 2014. The facts make it clear that any argument that the wage discrimination is based on anything other than gender discrimination has no basis.

Last month, DeLauro led a bipartisan letter with over 100 Members of Congress in support of the five players who filed the complaint. She is also the Sponsor of the House version of the Senate Resolution, which passed today.

DeLauro has introduced the Paycheck Fairness Act in every Congress since 1997. The bill would strengthen the Equal Pay Act of 1963 by holding employers accountable for discriminatory practices, putting an end to pay secrecy, easing workers' ability to individually or jointly challenge pay discrimination, and fortifying the available remedies for wronged employees.

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