“It’s simply not fair that any woman working the same hours in the same job should make less money than her male coworker.”

Washington, D.C. – Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid spoke on the Senate floor today about the anniversary of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. Below are his remarks as prepared for delivery.

Today women make up nearly half of the American workforce. Women graduate from college at higher rates than men. More women were sworn into the 113th Congress than any before it, and there are more women in the Senate Democratic Caucus than ever before. Millions of women in the United States are the primary wage earners for their families. And women are now free to fight for this country on the front lines of battle. Yet for millions of American women, no amount of valor, talent or dedication will bring pay equality with their male peers.

Women still take home 77 cents for every dollar their male colleagues earn for doing exactly the same work. That’s true regardless of whether a woman has a college degree, regardless of what job she holds and regardless of how many hours she spends at the office or factory each week.

Four years ago today, President Obama signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. That legislation – the first bill Barack Obama signed as President – was the single greatest legislative step to ensure women have every chance to be full, equal participants in the workforce since the Equal Pay Act of 1963.

But while this landmark legislation built on the legacy of the Equal Pay Act and narrowed the pay gap, it still hasn’t closed that gap. So the Senior Senator from Maryland, Senator Barbara Mikulski, introduced the Paycheck Fairness Act last Congress.

The Paycheck Fairness Act is a logical extension of protections under the Equal Pay Act and the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. It would help close the wage disparity by empowering women to negotiate for equal pay and creating strong incentives for employers to obey the laws already in place. It would give workers stronger tools to combat wage discrimination and bar retaliation against workers for discussing salary information. And it would help secure adequate compensation for victims of gender-based pay discrimination.

It’s simply not fair that any woman working the same hours in the same job should make less money than her male coworker.

Unfortunately, this common-sense legislation was blocked by a Republican filibuster last Congress. But Senator Mikulski, who has done so much to advance the cause of pay equity, reintroduced the measure last week.

As we mark the fourth anniversary of the signing of the Lilly Ledbetter Act, I applaud Senator Mikulski and the women of the Senate Democratic Caucus for their dedication to American women and families – and to the principle of equality.

Bloomberg – Senate Republicans Block Plan to Reduce Gender Gap in Pay – Republicans in the U.S. Senate blocked Democrats’ latest proposal intended to attract women voters this election year, a measure to bolster workers’ ability to win pay-discrimination lawsuits. The 52-47 vote today in Washington, with 60 required, didn’t advance the measure, which also would prohibit retaliation against workers who share wage information. All Republicans opposed the bill. “For millions of American women, no amount of talent or dedication will bring pay equality with male co-workers,” Majority Leader Harry Reid said on the Senate floor today. “In the minds of many employers, they simply aren’t equal.” LINK

Reuters – Senate Republicans Block Equal Pay Measure - U.S. Senate Republicans on Tuesday blocked an election-year bid by Democrats for legislation they said would discourage employers from paying women less than they pay men for the same job. In a party-line vote, Democrats, who control the Senate, failed to muster the 60 votes needed to advance the legislation backed by President Barack Obama. The issue is part of an election-year effort by Obama and congressional Democrats to woo women voters ahead of November 6 elections. LINK

NY Times – Senate Republicans Again Block Pay Equity Bill – A bill that would pave the way for women to more easily litigate their way to pay equality failed  to clear a procedural hurdle in the Senate on Tuesday, as Republicans united against the measure for  the second time in two years. As Lilly M. Ledbetter, the woman whose name was attached to prior legislation to ensure equal pay for women, watched from the gallery, the  Senate voted 52-to-47 to open debate on the legislation, eight votes short of the 60 required. “It’s a very sad day here in the United States Senate,” Senator Barbara Mikulski, Democrat of Maryland, said after the vote. LINK

TPM – Republicans Block Dems’ Equal Pay For Women Bill - The Senate went back to the future on Tuesday. Republicans filibustered Democratic-led legislation aimed at closing the pay gap between women and men. The measure would beef up protections for women who sue employers for gender-based wage discrimination or discuss pay with their co-workers — and the GOP blocked it just as it did in late 2010 when the Paycheck Fairness Act last came up. The cloture motion went down 52-47 — short of the 60 votes needed to proceed. LINK

Washington Times – Republicans Filibuster Equal-Pay Bill - Republicans on Tuesday filibustered Democrats’ latest election-year effort to stoke the war on women on Tuesday, dooming a bill that would have opened up far more avenues for women to sue businesses when they suspect pay discrimination. Democrats fell more than a half-dozen votes shy of the 60 needed to head off the filibuster, but said said they’ll force the GOP to vote on it again in the walk-up to this year’s election. “We’re not going to let this bill die,” said Sen. Barbara Mikulski, Maryland Democrat, who challenged women push the fight. “Put on your lipstick, square your shoulders and let’s fight for this new American revolution where women are paid for equal pay for equal work.” LINK

“As their unanimous vote to deny women pay equality shows, Republicans want to stick their heads in the sand and ignore the reality that American women experience in the workplace every day.

“All across America, women are being paid 77 cents for every dollar that men make for performing the same work. The disparity is even starker for African American and Hispanic women. African American women make 62 cents on the dollar and Hispanic women 54 cents on the dollar compared to white men working the same hours in the same jobs.

“The threat of retaliation looms over women who attempt to address the wage gap in their workplaces, or even talk about the issue with their colleagues. The legislation Republicans filibustered today would have built on the Lilly Ledbetter Act to protect women from retaliation from their employers, and ensure they can discuss wage issues freely with their colleagues.

“This is a common-sense measure with broad public support. Nine out of 10 Americans – including 81 percent of men and 77 percent of Republicans – support this legislation. But once again, the only Republicans who are left opposing a common-sense measure to improve our economy and help middle-class families are the ones here in Washington.”

Washington Times: With No Good Arguments To Make, ‘Republicans Have Been Mostly Silent’

FORMER GOP CHAIRMAN GETS TONGUE TIED, MOCKED OVER OPPOSITION TO PAYCHECK FAIRNESS ACT.

Mika Brzezinski, Co-Host of MSNBC’s Morning Joe: “Michael Steele, it’s about our wallets. I don’t understand. Help me understand why someone would vote against [the Paycheck Fairness Act], at this time especially.”

Michael Steele, former RNC Chairman: “Well… you know… again, you’re between a, a, a rock and a hard place politically. It’s one of those… those arguments that—you want to be on the right side of it, obviously. But the reality is… what is the politics? What is the, what is the get? … The reality of it is—right now—in this political cycle—as heated and as polarized as it is, a lot of folks will see this as nothing more than a way to back one party into the corner and there’s nothing that’s really going to change beyond the legislation…”

Mika Brzezinski: “Aw, come on. Come on! … There’s just nothin’. You got nothin’.”

WATCH THE VIDEO

OTHER KEY REPUBLICANS ‘HAVE BEEN MOSTLY SILENT’ ON BILL.

Washington Times: “Republicans … have been mostly silent.” [5/29/12]

SENATE GOP LEADER McCONNELL ‘NOT TALKING’ ABOUT EQUAL PAY MEASURE.

NBC News: “McConnell not talking Paycheck Fairness [today]” [6/5/12]

The Hill: “McConnell did not mention the paycheck act in his speech.” [6/5/12]

ROMNEY ‘MUM’ ON PROPOSAL, ‘DIDN’T RESPOND TO MESSAGES’ SEEKING HIS POSITION.

Huffington Post: ‘MITT ROMNEY MUM ON PAYCHECK FAIRNESS BILL’ [6/4/12]

Washington Times: “His campaign didn’t respond to five messages left over the past week seeking his stance on the Paycheck Fairness Act.” [5/29/12]

Washington, D.C. – Nevada Senator Harry Reid spoke on the Senate floor today regarding the Paycheck Fairness Act. Below are his remarks as prepared for delivery:

Most Americans believe if they get an education, work hard and play by the rules, they’ll have a fair shot at success.

But for millions of American women, no amount of talent or dedication will bring pay equality with their male coworkers.

Women take home 77 cents for every dollar their male colleagues earn for doing exactly the same work.

That stunning fact holds true regardless of whether a woman has a college degree, regardless of how many hours she spends at the office or factory each week and regardless of what job she holds.

If she is an African American or Hispanic woman, the disparity is even starker.

African American women make 62 cents on the dollar and Hispanic women 54 cents on the dollar compared to white men working the same hours in the same jobs.

And while landmark pieces of legislation like the Equal Pay Act and the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act have narrowed the pay gap, they haven’t closed that gap.

So Congress must do more. The Paycheck Fairness Act before the Senate would:

• Give workers stronger tools to combat wage discrimination,
• Bar retaliation against workers for discussing salary information,
• And help secure adequate compensation for victims of gender-based pay discrimination

Over their lifetimes, Nevada women will earn about $475,000 less than their male counterparts.

But this isn’t just a women’s issue – it’s a family issue.

Every year, millions of American families are cheated out of money they could spend on groceries, gas and rent.

And every year, wage discrimination puts almost 400,000 Nevada children at risk.

For many families in Nevada and across the country, a woman’s income is the only income. For many more families, a woman is the primary breadwinner.

Yet Republicans have vowed to block legislation that would even the playing field and help women provide for their families – even though Americans overwhelmingly support it.

Nine out of 10 Americans – including 81 percent of men and 77 percent of Republicans – support pay equity legislation.

Once again, the only Republicans who are against our common-sense measure are the ones here in Washington.

Even Mitt Romney has refused to publicly oppose this legislation.

He should show some leadership, and tell his fellow Republicans that opposing fair pay for all Americans is shameful.

Instead, no one knows where he stands.

But we know where Democrats stand.

We stand firmly on the side of equality for every working woman.

Democrats stand with middle-class women working to keep their families afloat during difficult economic times.

We stand with young women pursuing a college education, hoping to get a good-paying job when they graduate.

We stand with little girls whose mothers have taught them there’s no limit to their dreams.

This evening, America will see where Republican Senators stand, as well.

It’s unfortunate they’ll once again favor obstructionism over equality.

In All but One State, Wage Disparity is in Double Digits; Places a Heavy Burden on Women Who Are Their Families’ Primary Wage Earners

Paycheck Fairness Act Set To Receive Key Vote in Senate Tomorrow

Washington, DC – The Democratic Policy and Communications Center (DPCC) today released new state-by-state reports detailing the drastic wage gap women in every state experience in the workplace.  The report shows that in nearly half of all states, women earn over one-fifth less than their male counterparts.  In some states, that figure is as high as one-third.

The report highlights the devastating ramifications for middle-class American families.  On average, women’s share of family income is 42.1%—eliminating the wage gap, therefore, provide a much-needed boost to household earnings throughout the country.  For families in which women are the primary wage earners, the gap creates a heavy burden: Nearly 40% of married employed mothers are their families primary provider. In families headed by single mothers or families in which the husband cannot work due to a disability, children ultimately lose out simply because they rely on their mothers’ incomes for financial support.

State-by-state fact sheets can be found below.

Report Highlights:

• Nationally, women earn significantly less than what their male counterparts do, with that gap ranging as high as 30% in some states.
• In every state except for California, the wage gap is in double digits.
• 38% of married employed mothers are their families’ primary provider, meaning the pay gap jeopardizes the children who rely on them for support.

The Paycheck Fairness Act, introduced by Senator Mikulski (D-MD), would provide women with the tools to close this pernicious, long-standing gap.  The Senate is set to vote on cloture for the legislation tomorrow.  The Senate previously voted on the Paycheck Fairness Act on November 17^th, 2010.

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