WASHINGTON, DC – August 1, 2008 – Congresswoman Niki Tsongas released the following statement after the House voted late last night to approve The Paycheck Fairness Act (H.R. 1338). The bill, authored by Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), is a comprehensive measure that builds on the protections in the Equal Pay Act of 1963 to help put an end to the discriminatory practice of paying a woman less than a man for performing the same job.

"I was pleased to vote to continue the fight toward ensuring equal pay for women in the work force. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, women working in the same position as their male counterparts make seventy-seven cents to their dollar. This pay discrepancy results in less income not only for women but also for their families. This burden falls particularly hard on one income earning households.  Women lose a tremendous amount of income due to pay inequity, a form of discrimination that affects the majority of American families.  This is not a women's issue, it is a family issue.

"The legislation passed by the House yesterday requires employers who practice unequal pay to justify their actions. In addition, the Paycheck Fairness Act protects employees who chose to share their salary information with their co-workers from being punished by their employer. These new provisions serve to protect all women from gender-based pay discrimination.  This bill also closes loopholes that for years have allowed employers to engage in gender-based pay discrimination without the fear of prosecution.

"I could not disagree more with the Supreme Court’s decision last year to limit lawsuits on pay discrimination.  I was pleased that the House quickly responded last June to this deeply flawed decision by passing the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which would restore the rights of those who face gender based pay discrimination.  While we wait for the Senate to Act on this legislation, I am pleased that the House has now passed the Paycheck Fairness Act, which takes significant steps towards ensuring that women are paid equally and fairly for the work that they do."