DeLauro Statement on Senate Republicans Blocking Paycheck Fairness Act

WASHINGTON, DC—Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) released the following statement today after Senate Republicans blocked consideration of the Paycheck Fairness Act. DeLauro is the author of the House version of the legislation, which she has introduced every congress since 1997. More information on the bill can be found here.

“This legislation is about a very simple principle: men and women in the same job deserve the same pay. But today’s vote shows that Senate Republicans fail to understand and respect that principle, or the contributions of women, who make up one half of the workforce and two-thirds of the breadwinners or co-breadwinners in our country. Blocking this bill does not hurt just women. It hurts everyone who relies on a woman’s salary and our entire economy.

“Republicans are continuing to dismiss the financial pressures facing women and their families. That is why House Democrats introduced a Women’s Economic Agenda to addresses these pressures. The Paycheck Fairness Act, a key part of that agenda, would take critical steps to strengthen and reform the Equal Pay Act by putting an end to pay secrecy, strengthening workers’ ability to challenge discrimination and bringing equal pay law into line with other civil rights laws.

“Supporters of the Paycheck Fairness Act know that when women succeed, America succeeds. The minority of senators resisting this debate need to recognize that as well.”