| Michaud Votes to Pass Bill Promoting Equal Pay for Equal Work |
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| Thursday, July 31 2008 | |
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WASHINGTON, DC
- Today, Congressman Mike Michaud praised
House passage of H.R. 1338, the Paycheck Fairness Act. The bill would strengthen the landmark Equal
Pay Act and close the loopholes that have allowed some employers to avoid
responsibility for discriminatory pay. Michaud
is a cosponsor of the bill and has pushed for its passage since being elected
to Congress.
"Today is a great day, but I wish this bill was not necessary," said Michaud. "It is long past time that we end the discriminatory practice of paying a woman less than a man for performing the same job. I strongly urge the Senate to take up this measure as soon as possible." Although the wage gap between men and women has narrowed since the passage of the Equal Pay Act in 1963, gender-based wage discrimination remains a significant problem for women in the U.S. workforce. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, women make 77 cents for every dollar earned by a man. "The Paycheck Fairness Act builds on Congress' commitment to ensuring that all Americans are paid equally and fairly for the work that they do," said Michaud. # # # |
