Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today voted for, and the House passed, the Paycheck Fairness Act, which closes loopholes and strengthens the 1963 Equal Pay Act, including providing effective remedies for women who are not receiving equal pay for equal work. The vote was 217 to 210.
Congressman Cohen made the following statement:
“Women deserve equal pay for equal work. Full-time working women earn just 82 cents on average for every dollar a man earns, resulting in a yearly gap of more than $10,000 between men and women who work full-time. That’s 10 months’ rent or 14 months’ daycare expenses for a family with a median income. This bill aims to fulfill our commitment to equal pay for women and I look forward to seeing it signed into law.”
In January 2009, the Democratic-led 111th Congress sent to President Obama the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, restoring the right of women to challenge unfair pay in court. It was the first bill President Obama signed into law. Congressman Cohen was a strong supporter of that measure.
Original source can be found here.
