Providing for Consideration of H. Con. Res. 96, Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2015, and Providing for Proceedings During the Period from April 11, 2014, through Aprial 25, 2014

Floor Speech

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Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to the previous question.

Defeat of the previous question will allow us to amend the rule to provide for consideration of the Paycheck Fairness Act, an act that addresses the persistent problem of unequal pay in our economy, and would help make the bill before us a real boon for women and their families.

Women are now half of the Nation's workforce and two-thirds of primary or cobreadwinners. The sad fact is they are still only making and being paid 77 cents on the dollar on average compared to men. This holds true across all occupations and education levels. For women of color, the disparities are even worse.

Less pay for women means less pay for an entire family at a time when millions are struggling to enter the middle class. Give their kids a chance at a better life, achieve the American Dream. It affects all of us.

We have seen the Republican budget that is being discussed today already does so much to put that dream out of reach for America's families. It slashes our social safety net, cuts off nutrition support, and denies food to millions of low-income Americans, and our most important anti-hunger program in the Nation.

The Center for Budget and Policy Priorities said 69 percent of the cuts in this Republican budget would come from programs serving low- and moderate-income people.

Let's be in opposition to this previous question because we will have an opportunity to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act.

I urge my colleagues to oppose the previous question because when women succeed, America succeeds. Let's help hardworking families take home the pay that they deserve and ensure that women are being paid the same as men for the same job.

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