Press Release
ON EQUAL PAY DAY, REP. HENRY CUELLAR ENDORSES STREGTHENING THE EQUAL PAY ACT OF 1963
Washington,
April 24, 2007
Today, Rep. Henry Cuellar highlighted the need for equal pay for women workers across America. Congressman Cuellar stated that ensuring that there is truly equal pay for equal work in this country should be a key priority for Congress and called for strengthening the Equal Pay Act of 1963 while maintaining fiscal responsibility and reducing any undue burden on small businesses. “Equal pay is not only a women’s issue, but a family issue. The wage gap hurts everyone because it lowers family incomes that pay for essential items. When women earn more, an entire family will benefit,” said Congressman Cuellar. The issue of equal pay for women was highlighted when President John Kennedy signed the Equal Pay Act of 1963. At that time, women workers made 59 cents on average for every dollar earned by men. According to the 2006 Census Bureau, women are still only earning approximately 77 percent as much as men do. Minority women fare much worse—Hispanic women make only 55 cents on the dollar compared to white men, who are the highest earners. Because women earn less than their male counterparts, the average woman will have to work longer for the same amount of pay. Today, 41 percent of women are their families’ sole source of income, making it imperative to close the wage gap. The children in homes with a female primary-earner deserve to have the same opportunities and resources as every other child. “Ensuring that women receive equal pay for equal work is a common-sense issue that affects all working women and their families,” said Congressman Cuellar. “By ensuring that women earn more, the families of Texas’ 28th District will gain the resources they need to ensure that their children have access to a better future.”
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