Steny H. Hoyer
01/29/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/29/2024 18:15
Hoyer Statement on the 15th Anniversary of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act
WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) released the following statement today marking the 15th anniversary of the landmark Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act:
"The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act was one of the critically important pieces of legislation that I brought to the House Floor and helped lead Democrats in passing as House Majority Leader. Fifteen years ago today, I was proud to stand with President Obama as he signed that historic bill into law - the first of his presidency. That groundbreaking law advanced the cause of gender equality in America and continues to empower women in the workplace to advocate for the equal pay they deserve.
"While we have made significant progress since that law was enacted, our fight against wage discrimination is far from over. Even today, American women on average receive only 84 cents for every dollar that their male counterparts make. The gap is even larger for Black women, who receive an average 67 cents for every dollar white men make in America. Other women of color face similar disparities in pay that fuel both gender and racial inequity. As Majority Leader, I sought to build on the progress we made toward closing the pay gap with the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act by bringing the Paycheck Fairness Act to the Floor four times. Although our Democratic-controlled House passed that bill each time, it has yet to become law.
"Democrats will not yield in our effort to close the gender pay gap once and for all. We will keep fighting to ensure that America lives up to its reputation as the great land of opportunity for all."
"The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act was one of the critically important pieces of legislation that I brought to the House Floor and helped lead Democrats in passing as House Majority Leader. Fifteen years ago today, I was proud to stand with President Obama as he signed that historic bill into law - the first of his presidency. That groundbreaking law advanced the cause of gender equality in America and continues to empower women in the workplace to advocate for the equal pay they deserve.
"While we have made significant progress since that law was enacted, our fight against wage discrimination is far from over. Even today, American women on average receive only 84 cents for every dollar that their male counterparts make. The gap is even larger for Black women, who receive an average 67 cents for every dollar white men make in America. Other women of color face similar disparities in pay that fuel both gender and racial inequity. As Majority Leader, I sought to build on the progress we made toward closing the pay gap with the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act by bringing the Paycheck Fairness Act to the Floor four times. Although our Democratic-controlled House passed that bill each time, it has yet to become law.
"Democrats will not yield in our effort to close the gender pay gap once and for all. We will keep fighting to ensure that America lives up to its reputation as the great land of opportunity for all."