Congressional Black Caucus Releases Statement in Recognition of Equal Pay Day

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressional Black Caucus Chairman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) released the following statement recognizing Equal Pay Day and calling for passage of the Paycheck Fairness Act:

“It is imperative that Congress takes action on pay equity. In 1960, women made just 59 cents per every dollar that men made. This number has since risen to 79 cents, but the disparity is even higher for African American women who make only 60 cents for every dollar earned by white, non-Hispanic men. If we continue at this rate, women would not see pay equity until 2058. We have made progress, but it is time that we make solutions.

“The gender-based wage gap stubbornly remains despite the passage of the Equal Pay Act in 1963 and a variety of legislation prohibiting employment discrimination. That is why members of the Congressional Black Caucus have joined House Democrats in cosponsoring the Paycheck Fairness Act to protect pay equality and fair labor standards. Republicans have blocked this bill nine times from being voted on by the entire House, thereby denying women the tools they need to fight back against pay discrimination.

“The gender pay gap is not a result of a woman’s choice. Women have chosen to graduate from college in higher numbers than men, to make up nearly half of the workforce, but pay inequalities still persists. As members of Congress, it is our responsibility to ensure we raise awareness of the need for equal pay, because when women succeed, America succeeds.”