WASHINGTON — AAUW's director of public policy and government relations, Lisa Maatz, will speak today at a press conference organized by Sens. Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) and Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT). The lawmakers, all known as champions of fair pay, are holding the event with women’s rights advocates to discuss the Paycheck Fairness Act (S. 182). After the successful enactment of the Ledbetter Fair Pay Act in January, this critical bill is the logical next step in the fight for pay equity.
The Paycheck Fairness Act would strengthen and close loopholes in the 45-year-old Equal Pay Act. Specifically, the bill would create incentives for employers to follow the law, empower women to negotiate for equal pay, and strengthen federal outreach and enforcement efforts. The bill would also deter wage discrimination by strengthening penalties for equal pay violations and by prohibiting retaliation against workers who inquire about employers' wage practices or disclose their own wages. The Paycheck Fairness Act passed the House of Representatives in January, and AAUW is leading the charge to urge passage in the Senate. The bill currently has 31 co-sponsors.
The persistent advocacy of AAUW's nationwide membership has helped keep pay equity on the nation’s radar. In addition, AAUW's 2007 Behind the Pay Gap report redefined the debate on pay equity and reenergized the drive to pass needed pay equity legislation. In fact, AAUW was asked to showcase the report at the first House hearing on pay equity in a decade that same year.
"Taking strong steps toward pay equity could play a critical role in efforts to stimulate the economy and help ensure self-sufficiency for women, who are more and more likely to be the breadwinner during this economic downturn," Maatz said.
Maatz recently delivered invited testimony about pay equity issues before the Joint Economic Committee. You can read her testimony here.
WHO:
Sen. Chris Dodd
Sen. Barbara Mikulski
Rep. Rosa DeLauro
Lisa Maatz, AAUW
Jocelyn Samuels, National Women's Law Center
WHERE:
Senate Visitor’s Center Room 214
WHEN:
THURSDAY, May 21, 2009 3:00 P.M.
