Cardin Says Senate Must Move Forward on Pay Equity for Women

Statement

U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) released the following statement after the Senate was blocked from considering the Paycheck Fairness Act, which would ensure that women are paid fairly in the workplace.

"It is incomprehensible why the Senate is unable to move forward on consideration of the Paycheck Fairness Act. Today, women make up half of the total workforce and nearly 4 in 10 mothers are the primary breadwinners of their household. Nearly two-thirds of mothers bring home at least a quarter of the household earnings. Particularly in these hard economic times, when women's wages put food on the table, keep the lights on and put gas in the car, pay inequities should not be tolerated.

"The goal of the Paycheck Fairness Act is simple: close the loopholes that exist in current law to ensure that men and women are paid fairly and accurately in the workplace. No longer would an employer be able to pay women and men different wages if they are doing the same or equivalent jobs. No longer would an employer be allowed to retaliate against employees for discussing their wages with other employees. Paying equal wages for equal work should be a core American value and not a partisan issue."

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