Pelosi Statement on 54th Anniversary of the Equal Pay Act

Contact: Ashley Etienne/Caroline Behringer, 202-226-7616

Washington, D.C. – Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement marking the 54th anniversary of the Equal Pay Act, signed into law by President Kennedy on June 10, 1963:

"Fifty-four years ago, President John F. Kennedy signed the Equal Pay Act, which affirmed women's right to equal pay for equal work. That day, President Kennedy praised the bill as a ‘significant step forward,' but warned that ‘much remains to be done to achieve full equality of economic opportunity.' Unfortunately, Kennedy's words are still true today.

"Today, women in the U.S. working full-time, year-round on average still earn only 80 cents for every dollar earned by men. This unfair and unjust pay gap costs women an average of $418,800 by the time they retire. For women of color, the pay gap stretches even wider, with African American women, on average, earning only 63 cents and Latinas earning only 54 cents for every dollar earned by white men.

"Equal pay is not just a women's issue; pay inequity hurts families, communities and the entire U.S. economy. That's why Congress must pass the Paycheck Fairness Act, which would strengthen and close loopholes in the 1963 law. Every single Democratic Member of the House is a cosponsor of this vital legislation, and yet the GOP-controlled Congress has refused to bring it up for a vote. House Democrats will never stop fighting to ensure that women and working families receive the fair pay and the bigger paychecks needed to create a stronger America for all."

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