Press Releases

U.S. Representative Don Beyer, Northern Virginia Democrat, reaffirmed his intention to fight for true equal pay for women in the workforce on the anniversary of President Obama's signing of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act.

"Six years ago today, President Obama signed his first bill into law. The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act aimed to begin the process of empowering women to advocate in court against discriminatory pay practices that allowed their male counterparts to make more for equal work. I was so proud to watch my President confront this issue head-on and to take such an important step toward equal pay. But, the passage of the Lilly Ledbetter Act was only the first step. Women continue to suffer due to a very real gender pay gap, and that is unacceptable," said Rep. Beyer.

Women make up almost half of the American workforce. According to U.S. Census data, while women are the sole or primary breadwinner in 40 percent of American households, full-time working women still earn an average of 77 cents to every dollar earned by men.

Beyer added, “After 40 years in business, I can tell you that equal pay for equal work is the easiest and most important way to ensure the strength of our families, our middle class, and our economy. It is time to make sure women have the equal and full rights they are guaranteed by the Equal Pay and Fair Labor Standards Acts. It is time to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act.”

Click here to learn more about the President’s signing of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act.

Click here to learn more about the Paycheck Fairness Act.