Congressman Filner Renews Commitment to Closing the Wage Gap on Equal Pay Day

Washington, DC – Congressman Bob Filner renewed his commitment to equal pay for women on Equal Pay Day and called for a vote on the Paycheck Fairness Act (HR 1519).

“Equal Pay Day is an opportunity for all of us to reflect on the wage gap,” said Congressman Filner. “As far as we’ve come, women are still only earning 77 cents for every dollar paid to men.  And for African American and Latina women, the gap grows even wider. They are paid only 62 and 54 cents for every dollar paid to white men.”

The Paycheck Fairness Act would help promote fair pay for women by creating stronger incentives for employers to follow the law, closing loopholes, and giving women additional tools to help fight pay discrimination.

Equal Pay Day this year is Tuesday, April 17, which symbolizes how far into the year women must work to earn what men earned last year.