Esty Cosponsors Paycheck Fairness Act to Mark Equal Pay Day

Press Release

Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty (CT-5) today marked Equal Pay Day by joining with Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-3) to reintroduce the Paycheck Fairness Act.

The Paycheck Fairness Act, which DeLauro has introduced in every Congress since 1997, updates the Equal Pay Act of 1963 to provide wage protection to women who are not being paid equal wages for doing equal work, and closes currently existing loopholes that enable pay inequity.

Equal Pay Day marks how far into the year women must work to close the pay gap and earn what men earned in the previous year.

"Connecticut's wage gap costs women $15 billion per year. That lost income has real-life consequences not only for women but for entire families," Esty said. "When women take home less income, there is less to meet everyday needs like groceries, rent, and medical expenses. Passing the Paycheck Fairness Act would strengthen our economy and help lift women and kids across the country out of poverty -- bipartisan ideals that we should all be able to agree on. I am proud to join with Congresswoman DeLauro -- a truly tireless champion of economic justice -- to renew my commitment to pay equity for women of all backgrounds. It's long past time for equal pay for equal work."

"Equal Pay Day falls 94 days into 2017, which is 94 days too late for millions of American women and their families. Every year, I hope we never have to recognize this day, and though we have made some progress in closing the wage gap, it still exists for far too many," DeLauro said. "Women and men in the same job should have the same pay, and the Paycheck Fairness Act is a strong step forward in ensuring that we close the wage gap once and for all. This legislation addresses the issue in a comprehensive and sensible manner, and it is long overdue. President Trump campaigned on the promise that he would fight for American workers, including women, and I strongly encourage him to support this bill and make equal pay a reality."

Today in the United States, white women on average make 80 cents for every dollar earned by men, amounting to a yearly gap of $10,470 between full-time working men and women. For black women and Latinas the pay gap is even larger. Black women on average earn only 63 cents and Latina women on average earn only 54 cents for every dollar earned by white, non-Latino men. It would take black women until July 31 and Latina women until November 2 to close their own wage gap.

In Connecticut, black women earn 61 cents for every dollar, while Latina women earn only 49 cents for every dollar. In central and northwestern Connecticut, men on average earned $60,775, compared to women earning $48,449, amounting to a 79.7% earnings ratio.

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