On the 50th Anniversary of the Equal Pay Act, Congressman Ryan Calls for Immediate Passage of the Paycheck Fairness Act

Press Release

Today, Congressman Ryan recognizes the 50th Anniversary of the Equal Pay Act and calls for the immediate passage of the Paycheck Fairness Act. On June 10, 1963, President John F. Kennedy signed the Equal Pay Act to ensure that women are paid what they deserve. When President Kennedy signed this legislation, women earned 59 cents for every dollar earned by men. Despite the Equal Pay Act, women's wages are still not equal to those of men, with women earning only 77 cents for every dollar earned by men. In Ohio, the ratio is the same 77 percent--and according to a 2011 study, the former 17th Congressional District of Ohio showed women earning only 76 percent of what men earned.

"I am offended that since this legislation's enactment fifty years ago, the law has never once been updated or strengthened. It is time for my Republican Colleagues to join Democrats in standing up for women's rights and pass the Paycheck Fairness Act," said Congressman Ryan. "I know women are vital to Ohio's workforce -- there is no reason that they should not earn equal wages for equal work."

Equal pay for women has been a top priority for Democrats, the first piece of legislation signed by President Obama was the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act -- which restores women's right to challenge unfair pay in court. The House of Representatives has passed the Paycheck Fairness Act twice, but Republicans continue to block the bill in the Senate.

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