GOP Blocks Equal Pay...again.

Just in time for election season, Senate Republicans blocked legislation aimed at closing the gender pay gap. For the third time since 2012, Republicans refused to allow debate on the Paycheck Fairness Act, and reminded women that the GOP doesn't believe in equal pay for equal work.

Even in 2014, women still earn 77 cents on the dollar compared to their male counterparts, and there are substantial legal hurdles that prevent women from suing employers for pay discrimination. Senate Democrats introduced the Paycheck Fairness Act years ago, to provide training for salary negotiations, and prevent employers from retaliating against workers who fight for equal pay.

Republicans in the upper chamber claim that the legislation would mean more lawsuits, and say that Democrats should be focused on other matters. Senator John McCain said, “Here we have an international crisis, with the defense authorization bill out there, and we refuse to take [that] up.” However, many Americans would argue that the Arizona Senator has his priorities backwards.

Just like unemployment, student debt relief, and immigration reform, Republicans continue to block the Paycheck Fairness Act but have no problem voting to fund another war. Americans want Congress to get to work on jobs and infrastructure and equal pay for equal work, but those on the Right refuse to pass anything that could be viewed as a win for the President.

Come this November, it's time to remind Congress that they work for us. Let's say enough with the obstruction, and elect new lawmakers who are actually listening to We The People.

Comments

RichardofJeffersonCity's picture
RichardofJeffer... 8 years 26 weeks ago
#1

I noticed there was just enough Senators 6 Republican and 2 Democrat non-votes that would have given that 3/5 need to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act if they had voted yes. Isn’t that amazing how that works out? I guess the non-vote is political cover? There are polls on the PFA going back to 2001 showing Americans agree there is unequal pay (women)for equal work (men and women).

The consistent advocate against legislative attempts to correct this unfairness in the work place has been the U.S.. Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber has been attacking PFA since 2001. USCofC campaign against equality in the work place has been very successful if you look at congressional voting record.

The small sample size of polls around the country, would lead a person to believe, that the American people would like, to see something done about the earning difference between men and women in the workplace. However, the two legislative houses of government voting record does not reflect the will of the people (democratic deficit); on the other hand, The Senate and Congress voting record lines up almost exactly with the advocacy of the US Chamber of Commerce, which is a common occurrence in the US legislative branch.

Here are some links below Gallup poll, US Chamber of Commerce, The Economic/YouGov, Pew Research Center. You can find voting records on any bill at Govtrack.us

12/15/2010 YouGov

http://today.yougov.com/news/2010/12/15/taxing-and-spending-lame-duck-congress/

Gallup poll 6/13/2014

http://www.gallup.com/poll/171596/prioritize-improving-veterans-health.aspx

C-SPAN Video 4/1/2014 testifying against Paycheck Fairness Act:

http://www.help.senate.gov/hearings/hearing/?id=f5239448-5056-a032-52ba-0aa8f38ca69f

US Chamber of Commerce website 9/15/2014

https://www.uschamber.com/blog/paycheck-fairness-act-would-increase-lawsuits-erode-employer-defenses-says-us-chamber

Pew Research Center 4/8/14

http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2014/04/08/on-equal-pay-day-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-gender-pay-gap/

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