DeLauro Statement on Fischer’s So-Called Fair Pay and Paid Leave Bills

WASHINGTON, DC (February 10, 2017) — Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) today released the following statement regarding the Workplace Advancement Act and the Strong Families Act, two bills introduced by Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) with the intention of supporting women in the workplace.

"The two pieces of legislation introduced by Senator Fischer fail to address the full scope of the issues facing women in the workplace. Not only do the Workplace Advancement Act and the Strong Families Act benefit employers more than employees, the bills give working women a false sense of security that they will have equal pay and access to paid family and medical leave. President Trump spent months campaigning on the promise that he would fight for American workers, yet these bills do almost nothing to support working women and men.

"If Republicans are serious about addressing the issues working women and men face, they should sign on to the Paycheck Fairness Act and FAMILY Act, two pieces of legislation that address these issues in a comprehensive and sensible manner. Women deserve equal pay for equal work with the guarantee that they can challenge pay discrimination and hold their employers accountable. And men and women should have access to paid family and medical leave, regardless of their gender, marital status, or sexual orientation. President Trump and Republicans should join me in supporting my legislation and make fair pay and paid leave a reality for American workers everywhere."

Earlier this week, DeLauro reintroduced the FAMILY Act in the House of Representatives and she plans to reintroduce the Paycheck Fairness Act in the coming months. DeLauro has championed paid family and medical leave and equal pay for equal work in the House of Representatives for years and continues to fight for policies that benefit working women and men, as well as their families.