Legislation Introduced by Congresswoman DeLauro

In 2003 women still earned only about 77 percent as much as men did. Women of color were worse off--African American women made 66¢ on the dollar compared to the highest earners (white men), while Hispanic women made only 54¢. According to the National Committee on Pay Equity, working women stand to lose $250,000 over the course of their career because of unequal pay practices. While women’s wages and educational attainment have been rising, there is still a sizeable gender wage gap. Only a portion of the difference in pay can be explained by experience, education, or qualifications.

The Paycheck Fairness Act will take the steps needed to eliminate gender based wage discrimination and ensure that women will finally earn what men earn for doing the same job. Under this legislation, the Department of Labor will have the opportunity to enhance outreach and training programs to work with employers to eliminate pay disparities; employees can share salary information with their co-workers; and women will be allowed to sue for punitive damages in addition to compensatory damages now available under the Equal Pay Act.

This is a bipartisan, common sense issue which affects all working women and their families. By eradicating unfair treatment in the labor market we can help families gain the resources they need to ensure that their children have access to a better future in the 21^st century.