In Recognition of National Equal Pay Day, Murray Calls for Immediate Action to Help End Wage Gap

Across the country, women on average earn 79 cents for every dollar a man makes; in Washington state, women earn just 77 cents on the dollar compared to their male counterparts

Murray: “No matter where they live, no matter their background, no matter what career they choose, on average, women earn less than their male colleagues – even women soccer players on the U.S. national team.”

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), the top Democrat on the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor in recognition of National Equal Pay Day, the date that symbolizes how far into the year American women must work to earn what men earned in the previous year. Senator Murray has consistently fought to help end the wage gap, in particular through the Paycheck Fairness Act, which would provide women with additional tools to identify and fight back against pay discrimination. In her remarks on the Senate floor, Murray cited how women across the country and across professions, including the U.S. women’s national soccer team, are paid less than their male counterparts.

Key excerpts from Senator Murray’s remarks:

“We are 103 days into 2016. And on Equal Pay Day, that number takes on significant, unfortunate meaning. Women have to work 103 extra days to match what men earned last year. That is unacceptable. Workers should be paid fairly for the work they do, regardless of their gender. And closing the wage gap would help grow our economy from the middle out, not the top down. I’m glad to be here to recognize Equal Pay Day with my Democratic colleagues, to stand up on behalf of women across the country, and to renew our call to put an end to the wage gap.”

“No matter where they live, no matter their background, no matter what career they choose, on average, women earn less than their male colleagues – even women soccer players on the U.S. national team. The women’s national team has won three World Cup titles. They’ve won four Olympic gold medals. But despite all of their success, they are not immune from the pervasive wage gap. In fact, on average, as players, they earn four times less on than their male counterparts. And it’s not just about the money. Think about the message the wage gap sends to young girls who see women valued less than men for doing the same work – and in the case of the women’s soccer team – doing it so much better! So, I’m glad members of the women’s national soccer team are taking a stand to gain equal pay for the work they do.”

“And in the Senate, we’re going to keep championing the Paycheck Fairness Act to make equal pay a reality for women across the country. Until then, I – along with my colleagues – am going to keep fighting on behalf of all women and families until they get the equal pay they’ve earned.”

Full text of Senator Murray’s remarks:

“We are 103 days into 2016.

“And on Equal Pay Day, that number takes on significant, unfortunate meaning.

“Women have to work 103 extra days to match what men earned last year.

“That is unacceptable.

“Workers should be paid fairly for the work they do, regardless of their gender.

“And closing the wage gap would help grow our economy from the middle out, not the top down.

“I’m glad to be here to recognize Equal Pay Day with my Democratic colleagues, to stand up on behalf of women across the country, and to renew our call to put an end to the wage gap.

“Last year, I heard from a woman named Sandy from Seattle.

“Right out of college, Sandy got a job at a local nonprofit.

“After a couple of months of work, she was chatting with a male colleague and found out he was offered 20 percent more in salary for doing the same exact job.

“She thought there had been some mistake.

“But when she asked about it, her boss told her they couldn’t offer her a pay raise because of budget constraints.

“Sandy’s story is all too common.

“On average, women make 79 cents for every dollar a man makes.

“And the pay gap is even wider for women of color.

“That’s not just unfair to women.

“It hurts families, and it hurts our economy.

“Today, 60 percent of working families rely on wages from two earners.

“And more than ever, women are likely to be the primary breadwinner for their families.

“Women’s success in today’s economy is critical to families’ economic security and to our nation’s economy as a whole.

“We need to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act to help close the wage gap.

“I appreciate Senator Mikulski’s tremendous leadership and passion on this issue.

“Her Paycheck Fairness Act would make it unlawful for employers to retaliate against workers for discussing pay.

“And it does so in a common-sense way that reflects today’s reality in the workplace.

“It would empower women to negotiate for equal pay.

“It would close significant loopholes in the Equal Pay Act.

“And it would create strong incentives for employers to provide equal pay.

“Passing the Paycheck Fairness Act is a critical step on a long list of things we can do to build our economy from the middle out, not the top down, and ensure our country works for all families, not just the wealthiest few.

“No matter where they live, no matter their background, no matter what career they choose, on average, women earn less than their male colleagues – Even women soccer players on the U.S. national team.

“The women’s national team has won three World Cup titles. They’ve won four Olympic gold medals.

“But despite all of their success, they are not immune from the pervasive wage gap.

“In fact, on average, as players, they earn four times less on than their male counterparts.

“And it’s not just about the money.

“Think about the message the wage gap sends to young girls who see women valued less than men for doing the same work – and in the case of the women’s soccer team – doing it so much better!

“So, I’m glad members of the women’s national soccer team are taking a stand to gain equal pay for the work they do. 

“And in the Senate, we’re going to keep championing the Paycheck Fairness Act to make equal pay a reality for women across the country.

“I look forward to an Equal Pay Day in the future that we can actually celebrate, once we finally achieve pay equity, regardless of gender.

“Until then, I – along with my colleagues – am going to keep fighting on behalf of all women and families until they get the equal pay they’ve earned.

“Thank you.”