Madame Speaker, I rise in strong support of HR 1138, the Paycheck Fairness Act.

And I would like to commend my colleague Rosa DeLauro for her work on this legislation.

Last week, I was fortunate enough to participate in a rally with several of my female colleagues in the House and Senate and Lilly Ledbetter.

Lilly’s personal experience is testament to the fact that the Equal Pay Act, which guarantees equal pay for equal work, needs some work of its own.

HR 1138 closes some existing loopholes so that employees can fight for their deserved wages without fear of retaliation.

And as we discussed these issues at the event last week, I was comforted to see the crowd of young women, many of whom are recent college graduates just starting out in their careers.

They can be sure that with passage of this legislation, they may not face the same barriers that women in their mothers’ and grandmothers’ generations faced.

I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this important legislation and secure a better economic future for our daughters and granddaughters.

I yield back.

Pictured above: (center) Congresswoman Capps meets with Central Coast firefighters to discuss emergency preparedness.