Legislation Introduced by Senator Hillary Clinton Fights for Pay Equity in the Workplace

NOW New York State thanks Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton for calling attention to the wage gap's impact on women in New York and around the country. As was revealed in last week's US Government Accountability Office report, the Bush Administration has neglected to monitor pay-equity law enforcement and failed to investigate violations.

Earlier today Senator Clinton, joined by Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), New York Women's Foundation President and CEO Ana Oliveira, Women's Center for Education and Career Advancement Executive Director Merble Reagon, and Barnard College President Debora L.Spar, held a press conference at Barnard College. The event was a push to toughen pay discrimination laws and to erase pay inequities.

Senator Clinton explained; "This report is a call to action that we cannot afford to ignore. It is clear that while woman have long fought for equality in the workplace, the Bush Administration has turned back the clock by failing to enforce the equal pay requirements that are already on the books. I am proud to be here today with Congresswoman Maloney and these amazing advocates who are still fighting to end the pay inequities that have shortchanged women and their families for far too long. I call on my colleagues to help us enact legislation that will help level the playing field for hardworking women in New York and across the nation."

Congresswoman Maloney added: "Equal pay is not just a women's issue, it's a family issue. The wage gap is particularly painful as families are struggling to buy groceries, to fill their gas tanks, and to make ends meet on stagnant wages. The GAO's report shows that the federal government must do more, not only to enforce fair pay laws, but also to strengthen them further. I'm proud of Senator Clinton's leadership on this issue and I look forward to working with her to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act, which would empower women to negotiate better pay and would toughen penalties for employers who break the law."

NOW New York State continues to admire and celebrate Senator Clinton for her ongoing leadership on women's issues in NYS and around this country.