WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today Congresswoman Lois Capps voted for a comprehensive measure to help end the discriminatory practice of paying equally qualified women less than their male counterparts for performing the same job.  The Paycheck Fairness Act (H.R. 1338), was approved by a 247 to 178 vote.  This measure will strengthen the landmark Equal Pay Act and close loopholes that have allowed some employers continue discriminatory pay practices. 

“It’s high time that Congress acted to close these loopholes that allow companies to discriminate against women in the workplace,” said Capps, the Chair of the Democratic Women’s Working Group.  “We tell our girls and young women that if they work hard and play by the rules they can achieve anything that a man can in the workplace, yet for too many women their gender is cause enough for their employers to pay them less than their male colleagues for doing the same job.  This is wrong!  Not only is it a question of fairness but it is a serious economic slight to women and the families that depend on their wages.  I’m proud to be a part of a Congress that has finally recognized that this type of blatant discrimination has no place in our country.”  

Although the wage gap between men and women has narrowed slightly 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 45 years later.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, women only make 77 cents for every dollar earned by a man. In addition, African American women only earn 66 cents on the dollar while Hispanic women earn 55 cents on the dollar compared to their male counterparts.

The Institute of Women’s Policy Research concluded that this wage disparity will cost a woman anywhere from $400,000 to $2 million over her lifetime in lost wages.

The Democratic Congress has taken important steps to stop the practice of discriminatory pay.  Last year, the House approved the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, legislation that would overturn a recent Supreme Court decision that has made it harder for workers to pursue pay discrimination claims.

For more information on the Paycheck Fairness Act, click here.

A copy of the Congresswoman’s floor speech follows:

“Madame Speaker, I rise in strong support of HR 1338, the Paycheck Fairness Act.

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

“Recently, 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 1338 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 rally the other day, 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.”

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