Pay Equity
In the 21st century, it seems unbelievable that while women are the primary or co-breadwinners in six out of ten households; they still earn only 77 cents to every dollar paid to men. This picture is even worse for African American and Hispanic women, who earn 68 cents and 59 cents respectively for every dollar men are paid. Women face pay discrimination throughout their lives, and it follows them into retirement with lower pensions and Social Security benefits because they earned lower wages than they deserved.
As our economy shows signs of revival, women and their families must not be left behind. We must send a strong message that pay discrimination should not stand.
I support the Paycheck Fairness Act to fight pay discrimination and improve wages for women. We must bring the equal pay law into line with all other civil rights law by increasing the available remedies to include punitive and compensatory damages.