Heinrich Votes To Strengthen Small Business, Create Jobs, Spur Economic Growth

Press Release

Heinrich Votes To Strengthen Small Business, Create Jobs, Spur Economic Growth

As the country marks Equal Pay Day on April 28, U.S. Representative Martin Heinrich calls upon Americans to work together to secure equal pay for equal work, crucial for our families resilience. In this economic climate, the need for concrete and immediate action to improve the economic security of working families is critical.

"Forty-six years have passed since President John F. Kennedy signed the Equal Pay Act," said Rep. Heinrich. "And yet, men out-earn women in nearly every occupation for which data are available."

In 1963, when the Equal Pay Act was signed, women who worked full-time, year round made 59 cents on average for every dollar earned by men. In 2007, women earned 78 cents for every dollar earned by men. That is progress - but it is slow progress. It means that the wage gap has narrowed by less than half a cent per year.

In his first full day as a Congressman, Rep. Heinrich co-sponsored two pieces of legislation to bring equity and fairness to all working women: H.R. 11, the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009, and H.R. 12, the Paycheck Fairness Act.

"The enactment of the Lilly Ledbetter Act was a major victory for America's women," said Rep. Heinrich. "However, it is now critical that the Senate pass and send to the President's desk the Paycheck Fairness Act, which the House passed on January 9. The Lilly Ledbetter Act restores the right to seek legal redress; however the Paycheck Fairness Act is equally important - it provides the tools necessary to give new teeth to the Equal Pay Act and provide incentives for businesses to follow the law in the first place."

The Paycheck Fairness Act is a comprehensive update to the 46-year-old Equal Pay Act that brings equal pay laws in line with other civil rights laws. This bill would take real steps to deter wage discrimination by empowering women to negotiate for equal pay, creating stronger incentives for employers to follow the law, and strengthen federal enforcement efforts.

"Especially in this economic climate, we need concrete and immediate action to improve the economic security of working families," said Rep. Heinrich.

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