Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) released the following statement in recognition of Equal Pay Day, which marks how far into the current year the average woman must work to earn what the average man made in the year before:
“It has been more than 50 years since the Equal Pay Act was signed into law. And yet, equal pay for equal work still remains a major issue. More than 65 million women are part of the workforce in our country and hold approximately half of the available jobs – including nearly two-thirds of minimum-wage jobs, yet they earn at least 20 percent less than men. We must close this wage gap.
“On average, a woman makes only 77 cents for every dollar that a man makes. The disparity for African American and Latina women is even larger. Democrats in Congress stand ready to address this issue with legislation that will improve the economic security of not only women but all American workers. The Paycheck Fairness Act and the Fair Minimum Wage Act, two bills that I proudly co-sponsor, would take significant steps to improve pay equity and increase penalties on employers paying discriminatory wages.
“When women succeed, America succeeds. No full-time worker should have to live in poverty, and no person should earn a lower wage just because they are a woman. As we mark Equal Pay Day, I am committed to working to end wage discrimination in our country once and for all.”
Congressman Alcee L. Hastings serves as Senior Member of the House Rules Committee, Ranking Democratic Member of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, and Co-Chairman of the Florida Delegation.
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