Paycheck Fairness Act motion fails in the Senate

There is overwhelming evidence that women make less money than men simply because of their gender. But today, Republican members of the Senate once again chose to block the common-sense Paycheck Fairness Act, rather than work across party lines to stand in support of women and equality.

Almost 50 years after passage of landmark legislation to end unfair pay practices in the workplace, women continue to earn significantly less than men for doing the same job. The Paycheck Fairness Act was meant to target this serious problem and provide women with the tools to combat the pay gap and demand equal compensation. In what should have been a sweeping demonstration of bipartisanship and cooperation, Republicans have instead stonewalled this legislation and our ability to move forward with this important issue.

Today, the Senate voted on whether to allow a vote on the bill. But instead of placing fair pay for women above partisan politics, the vote was split straight down party lines, 58-41. It ended any hopes that the Paycheck Fairness Act will pass this year. Even sadder than the GOP’s refusal to do what’s right was the fact that not a single Republican woman crossed party lines to stand up for fellow women everywhere. We here at EMILY’s List would just like to ask those senators: How will you explain to your daughters and granddaughters that you placed a higher value on partisanship than on their equality?

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