Representative Sean Patrick Maloney (NY-18) released the following statement on Equal Pay Day, which symbolizes when, more than three months into the year, women’s wages finally catch up to what men were paid in the previous year.
“It’s not okay that right now my daughters would earn a fraction of what my son would earn for the same job. In fact, women – although more likely to be the caretakers and breadwinners – still earn only 80 cents for every dollar earned by men,” said Rep. Maloney. “Ensuring women get equal pay for equal work is not only the right thing to do but it is better for our families and our economy. Since joining Congress I’ve recognized Equal Pay Day five times, which is five times too many. It’s time for Congress to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act – because our daughters deserve better.”
Rep. Maloney is an original co-sponsor of the Paycheck Fairness Act, a bill introduced by Rep. Rosa DeLauro. This commonsense bill would create protections that will help close the gender pay gay by adding federal protections to the Equal Pay Act of 1963, which will require employers to offer more transparency as it pertains to wages, require proof for wage discrepancies based on qualifications as opposed to gender and prohibit employers from retaliating against employees who raise concerns about gender-based wage discrimination.
Last year, Rep. Maloney released his updated plan to “Expand Economic Opportunities for Women.” This comprehensive plan built on his 2014 proposal, which Politico said was “one of the most extensive efforts” to highlight economic challenges facing women. The plan includes policies to strengthen the Equal Pay Act, increase the federal minimum wage to $15, establish a national Paid Family and Medical Leave program, expand the Child Care Tax Credit, increase quality and affordable early childhood education, make college more affordable, support women-owned small businesses and protect women’s freedom of choice. You can find a copy of the comprehensive plan here.