Udall: Obstructing Paycheck Fairness Hurts Colorado Women, Businesses, Familie

Press Release

Mark Udall, a strong supporter of Colorado women and middle-class families, decried a small group of lawmakers' efforts today to block legislation aimed at leveling the playing field and ensuring women are not shortchanged in the workplace. Udall, who co-sponsored the Paycheck Fairness Act, said he will keep fighting to find a way forward to strengthen Colorado's economy and empower women across the state.

"When women succeed, Colorado succeeds. Today's vote is especially disconcerting because women -- when measured across all jobs -- are paid less than their male colleagues," Udall said. "Equal pay for equal work strengthens families, supports local businesses and improves our economy. The Paycheck Fairness Act builds on the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act by leveling the playing field and empowering women with the tools they need to ensure they're paid on par with their male counterparts. Blocking this step toward equality isn't just unfair to Colorado women -- it's robbing our entire nation."

When measured across all jobs, Colorado women currently make on average nearly 79 cents for every dollar made by their male counterparts performing the same job. The Paycheck Fairness Act builds on the promise of the Equal Pay Act of 1963 by empowering women to negotiate for equal pay, preventing employers from citing anything related to gender as a reason to pay women less, closing loopholes that promote pay discrimination and improving federal outreach programs to eliminate pay disparities.

Udall has been an unwavering advocate for Colorado's women. Last year he launched his Women's Policy Network, a series of meetings and roundtables with Colorado women to ensure their concerns are heard and brought to Washington. Udall's Women's Policy Network was built on the senator's ongoing efforts to fight for equal pay for equal work and his successful push to secure federal resources for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking in Colorado.

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