Hoyer Statement on Equal Pay Day

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) released the following statement on Equal Pay Day:

"Today, we observe Equal Pay Day and recommit ourselves to closing the gender pay gap that has long held America, and our economy, from reaching our full potential.  American women would need to continue working until March 14 to earn the same pay that men earned for comparable work in the previous calendar year.  Indeed, on average, women only earn 77 cents for every dollar made by men in America.  That gap is even wider for Native American, Black, Latina, Asian, and Pacific-Islander women.  If America is to be the land of liberty, equality, and opportunity that our Founders envisioned, we cannot allow this disparity to persist.

"That's why I brought to the Floor and joined House Democrats in passing the Paycheck Fairness Act in both the 116th Congress and the 117th Congress.  Although Senate Republicans blocked that crucial legislation, we will not relent in our effort to close the gender pay gap once and for all.  That mission is even more important today amid radical efforts to restrict women's reproductive freedom and personal privacy.  I will keep fighting to advance that cause until all women receive the equal treatment promised to them under the Constitution and have fair access the opportunities they need to Make It In America."