Press Releases

U.S. Representative Don Beyer joined Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) today in reintroducing the Paycheck Fairness Act, legislation that would help close the wage gap between women and men working the same jobs.

“After more than forty years in business, I can tell you that equal pay for equal work is the best way to strengthen our families, our middle class, and our economy,” said Rep. Beyer. “This is a simple bottom line issue. If you treat your employees well your business will thrive. It is time for us to ensure women in the workforce have the equal and full rights they are guaranteed – to treat them well, so that the American economy can thrive.”

Women make up almost half of the American workforce. According to U.S. Census data, even though 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 continued: “We know that women’s economic empowerment fuels our economy and yet women continue to suffer due to a very real gender pay gap. That is unacceptable. Which is why I am so proud to be an original cosponsor on the Paycheck Fairness Act. Passing this bill will make American companies more competitive in a global marketplace, continue our middle class recovery, and – with 40 percent of American households depending on a woman's paycheck – this bill offers a critical solution to income inequality in America.” 

The Paycheck Fairness Act builds upon the landmark Equal Pay Act (1963) and the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act (2009) by closing loopholes that allow unfair pay practices to continue and strengthen the rights of employees to challenge pay discrimination in the workplace.

The bill has been endorsed by President Obama, Lilly Ledbetter and a coalition of over 300 advocacy groups.