Washington, DC - Today marks the 45th anniversary of President John F. Kennedy’s signing of the Equal Pay Act.  At that time women earned 59 cents for each dollar earned by a man.  While the gap has narrowed, Congressman John D. Dingell (D-MI15) is asking why working women still earn only 77 cents for every dollar earned by men.

“We know women work as hard as men, so why are they getting paid less? Something is keeping women from the board room to the assembly line behind their male counterparts,” Dingell said. “That’s why I support HR 1338, the Paycheck Fairness Act, introduced by my good friend and colleague, Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT03).”  The Paycheck Fairness Act builds on the progress of the Equal Pay Act and helps to end the persistent earnings gap between men and women.  It strengthens the Equal Pay Act by providing more effective remedies to women who are not being paid equal wages for equal work.  The bill would also prohibit employers from retaliating against employees who share salary information with their co-workers.

Between 1963 and now, the wage gap has narrowed by less than half a cent a year.  At this rate, it would take about another 50 years before men and women reach parity in pay in this country.

“Make no mistake, its not just women who suffer because of this, but families who rely on that income all feel the hit. That’s why HR 1338 is so important. To continue the work started by President Kennedy, we must continue move forward with this bill,” Dingell said.

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