Pelosi Statement on Equal Pay Day

Contact: Drew Hammill, 202-226-7616

Washington, D.C. – Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today on Equal Pay Day, which symbolizes when, more than three months into the year, women's wages finally catch up to what men were paid in the previous year:

"It is simply wrong that 52 years after President John F. Kennedy signed the Equal Pay Act into law, there is still a pay gap between women and men in America. Today is Equal Pay Day, which symbolizes when, more than three months into the year, women's wages finally catch up to what men were paid in the previous year. Equal Pay Day is a day to call on America's leaders to ensure that hard-working women receive fair compensation for their work. Ensuring equal pay is in the best interest of American families, our country, our economy and our future.

"From President Kennedy to President Obama, Democrats have long been committed to empowering women to receive just compensation for their work – and to have the resources needed to fight back when they encounter injustice in the workplace. 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. Now is the time for Congress to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act, a pillar of House Democrats' ‘When Women Succeed, America Succeeds' economic agenda for women and families.

"Together, we can help secure a fair shot for women in the workplace, which is critical to ensuring prosperity for our nation, and help bring bigger paychecks to the American people. This is about the dignity of work, the opportunity to get ahead, and the prosperity that improves the lives of our hard-working families. On this Equal Pay Day, we must work together to make equal pay for equal work a reality for all Americans so we can ensure all families have the resources needed to keep America moving forward."

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