WASHINGTON, D.C.- Congresswoman Marcia Fudge (OH-11)  issued the following statement regarding the action by Senate Republicans today to block the Paycheck Fairness Act from reaching a vote:

"It is a sad day when fairness for America's working women falls victim to partisan politics. There is no excuse for the decision by Senate Republicans to block the much needed Paycheck Fairness Act from an up or down vote. The wage gap between men and women is not a myth.  Full-time working women still earn on average 77 cents for every dollar earned by men.  For minorities, the gap is even wider. In Ohio, African American women are paid just 62 cents and Latinas earn 54 cents for every dollar earned by white, non-Hispanic males."

Congresswoman Fudge is an original co-sponsor of the Paycheck Fairness Act (H.R. 1519) and supports the proposed companion legislation in the Senate (S. 3220).  She also voted for a similar equal pay bill in 2009 during the last Congress.  That measure also was blocked by Republican opposition.

"I continue to support the notion that every American deserves equal pay for equal work.  Women contribute to family income in more than half of  all households in this nation.  And in many households, women are the sole breadwinners.  To deny them equal pay makes a real world difference to them, their children and the entire economy," said Congresswoman Fudge.

In January, 2009 Congress passed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act which restores the right of women to challenge unfair pay in court.  The Paycheck Fairness Act is pro-active legislation that strengthens the Equal Pay Act of 1963. It increases transparency to prevent wage discrimination by permitting employees to discuss salary with co-workers without fear of retaliation and ensuring that women are entitled to the same legal remedies as victims of pay discrimination based on race or ethnicity.

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