Pelosi Statement on 52nd Anniversary of Equal Pay Act

Contact: Drew Hammill, 202-226-7616

Washington, D.C. – Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement marking the 52nd anniversary of the Equal Pay Act, signed into law by President Kennedy in 1963:

"Ensuring equal pay for equal work is in the best interest of American families and America's future. Fifty-two years after President Kennedy signed the Equal Pay Act into law, we must rededicate ourselves to ensuring justice for the many American women who still suffer wage discrimination.

"All hard-working Americans should see the full benefits of their labors, yet fair compensation is still not a reality for too many working women and their families. With women on average making 78 cents to every dollar earned by men, and with women of color earning far less, we have more work to do to finish the work this landmark legislation started. To fulfill the promise made more than half a century ago, Congress must pass the Paycheck Fairness Act, a pillar of House Democrats' ‘When Women Succeed, America Succeeds' economic agenda for women and families.

"On this anniversary and every day, let us draw strength from the progress we have made, and rededicate ourselves to achieving fairness for all America's women by honoring the dignity of work, fighting for new opportunities to get ahead, and protecting the rights of all hard-working Americans."

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