Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson Stands Up for Equal Pay and the End of Employment Discrimination Congresswoman Wilson Urges Colleagues to Pass the Paycheck Fairness Act and the Employment Non-Discrimination Act

Press Release

Today, Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24) introduced the Paycheck Fairness Act as an amendment during a U.S. House of Representatives Education and Workforce Committee hearing. The Paycheck Fairness Act provides women with the ability to fight wage discrimination and closes loopholes that have allowed employers to avoid taking responsibility for discriminatory pay. This bill demands equal pay for equal work.

Congresswoman Wilson forced a vote on this critical bill to counter an attempt by House Republicans to pass legislation that attacks employees' rights to organize and to limit the National Labor Relations Board's ability to safeguard and protect our nation's workers.

"It is shameful that in this modern age, women are still not treated fairly. The issue of the wage gap is not just women's issues. It's a family issue. When women bring home less pay, their families suffer.

For African American women it's even worse. In the state of Florida, African American women are paid only 64 cents for every dollar paid to men. If the wage gap were eliminated, a working woman in Florida would have enough money for 1 years' worth of groceries, 5 more months of mortgage and utilities payments, 7 more months of rent or nearly 2000 additional gallons of gas.

Yesterday was Equal Pay Day, the day when women finally catch up to their male counterparts and earn the same amount of money as men made in the previous year. This day reminds us that unfortunately, women are not treated equally to men in the workplace," said Congresswoman Wilson.

At the same hearing, Congresswoman Wilson spoke on behalf of the rights of hard-working Americans from being fired, discriminated against, and denied opportunities simply because of who they love or how they express their gender by supporting The Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA).

"There is overwhelming support to end discrimination against our neighbors, friends, and family in the LGBT community.

Over two thirds of voters support ENDA, the Senate passed ENDA in a bipartisan manner, and there are over 200 cosponsors of ENDA in the House.

The United States must be a land of opportunity for anyone regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. I wholeheartedly support the immediate passage of ENDA," said Congresswoman Wilson.

Source