Recognizing Equal Pay Day

Floor Speech

Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Equal Pay Day and to stress my commitment to closing the wage gap between men and women once and for all. Women are critical to our Nation's economic success and it is essential for us to redouble our efforts to end discriminatory practices in the workplace. Although many positive steps have been taken and much change has been effectuated, there is much more that can be and should be done.

On this day, let us give attention to how the wage gap affects women, families and the economy. Today, more than ever, women are equal, if not primary, income earners in most American families. Yet women in our economy and our work force are still earning just 77 cents on every dollar paid to men. Couple the gender gap with statistics on race and it is even worse. African American women earn a mere 64 cents on the dollar, while Hispanic women receive an appalling 56 cents on the dollar compared to men. In states across the country, women are collectively losing tens of billions of dollars annually--money that could alleviate the financial strain countless families are facing in this tough economy.

We must put an end to discriminatory practices in the workforce once and for all. Expanding economic opportunities for women is critical to building an economy that restores security for middle class families. We must promote such an economy by encouraging the advancement of women in the workforce and by rewarding their efforts equally. We must ensure that when a woman seeks higher employment she is able to attain it without being discriminated against based on her gender and more importantly that she receive equal pay for equal work. We must ensure that equal pay and equal opportunity go hand in hand with hard work in the twenty-first century.

In the 1950's a sole income earner, historically a man, could support an entire family. Those days are long past, not ever to return. We are living in an era where dual incomes are not a luxury, but rather the necessary condition to sustain a middle class status.

I applaud President Obama's commitment to ensuring that women are treated equally in the workforce and paid fairly for their work. From signing the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, to creating the National Equal Pay Task Force, President Obama has fought for equality for women in the workforce, and there is no reason why this Congress should not be equally committed to the cause of pay equality for women.

In a time where women's labor force participation has increased dramatically and where families are becoming increasingly reliant on women's incomes due to the rise of living costs, it makes no sense that pay disparities between men and women still persist. Women should not have to face greater risks for income insecurity than men. The reality is that over the course of her lifetime, these pay discrepancies can cost a woman and her family up to hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost wages, reduced pensions, and reduced Social Security benefits. I call this ``gender theft.'' The Republican majority apparently believe this is an acceptable state of affairs.

The statistics are very clear; we cannot have a vibrant society if women are not doing well. The success of American women is critical for the success of American families and the American economy. Consequently, when women face barriers to participation in the workplace and marketplace, it affects all Americans.

Unfortunately, rather than concentrating on eliminating such discrepancies and ensuring equality, the Republican majority has instead been fixated on limiting women's rights and freedoms. This war on women is hurtful and destructive, wastes time, and makes no economic sense. It makes America weaker, not stronger. It certainly does not reflect a kinder and gentler America.

Mr. Speaker, on this day--Equal Pay Day--let us resolve to honor women for the work they do to support and sustain their families. Let us start by paying women equally for the honorable work they do. It is through our hard work to ensure equal treatment of all women in the workforce, marketplace, and society as a whole that we can resoundingly voice our commitment to support American women and families.

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