On a conference call with reporters ahead of a vote to consider the Paycheck Fairness Act, Sen. Mark Pryor today reiterated his strong support of equal pay for equal work. Joined by former first lady of Arkansas Barbara Pryor, as well as Jimmie Lou Fisher and Lottie Shackleford, co-chairs of the grassroots coalition "Women for Pryor," Pryor also emphasized Rep. Tom Cotton's opposition to paycheck fairness for women.
"I think it's important to understand that pay inequality is not just a women's issue; it's unfair to families and it's not good for our economy," Pryor said on the call. "My opponent, when he's had a chance to vote for it, he has voted against it, and I think that's just not right. I think Arkansans deserve better, and it's just that simple."
Jimmie Lou Fisher and Lottie Shackelford are co-chairs of "Women for Pryor," a statewide grassroots coalition launched last month [AP: Pryor launches women's issue coalition] to engage women voters about the upcoming election and the clear choice between Pryor and Cotton on the issues that matter to women and families.
"There's a clear choice in this race for Senate," Fisher said, "and the women of Arkansas can't trust Tom Cotton to stand with us on the issues that are important to our families here in Arkansas."
"Women for Pryor" has nearly a thousand active volunteers knocking on doors, making phone calls, and Shackelford reiterated the importance of the group reaching out to voters saying, "It's important that we send Mark back to the Senate so that he can fight for Arkansas's women and he can fight for families in Arkansas."
Barbara Pryor kicked off the call by highlighting her son's strong record of backing legislation to support women's economic empowerment.
"If Mark is re-elected in November, he will continue to be a Senator who listens to the women of our state and works hard on behalf of all families in Arkansas," Barbara Pryor said.