Pelosi Statement on 55th Anniversary of the Equal Pay Act

Contact: Ashley Etienne/Henry Connelly, 202-226-7616

Washington, D.C. – Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement marking the 55th anniversary of the Equal Pay Act, signed into law by President Kennedy in 1963:

"On June 10, 1963, President John F. Kennedy signed into law the Equal Pay Act, affirming that all women are entitled to equal pay for equal work. Since the enactment of the Equal Pay Act, progress has been made, but much more needs to be done. Fifty-six years after the law was enacted, women still earn on average only 80 cents for every dollar earned by a man. For minority women, the wage gap is even larger, with African American women earning only 63 cents and Latinas earning only 54 cents for every dollar earned by white men.

"Today, this shocking wage gap robs women of a total of $403,440 over the course of their careers, making it much more difficult for millions of hard-working women and their families to pay their monthly bills for groceries, rent, child care, and health care. Instead of working with Democrats to close the wage gap and help lift up working families, Republicans have ignored this vital issue and cynically worked to give the American people a raw deal as they undermine the strength of the middle class.

"To finally ensure the full promise of the Equal Pay Act for all American women, Congress must finally pass the Paycheck Fairness Act to strengthen and close loopholes in the 1963 law, and give women the tools they need to ensure they are paid fairly and equally to their male counterparts. Democrats will continue to press for real change that ensures women earn the wages they deserve, while we fight for A Better Deal with Better Jobs, Better Wages and a Better Future for all Americans."

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