Statement of

U.S. Rep. Kendrick B. Meek (D-FL)

In Recognition of Equal Pay Day – April 24

 

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, on Equal Pay Day – the day when lawmakers and advocates highlight the need for equal pay for women workers across America – Congressman Kendrick B. Meek issued the following statement in support of the Paycheck Fairness Act which strengthens the Equal Pay Act of 1963.

"Closing the wage gap is a common sense issue, and the Democratic-led Congress will put families first by enacting the Paycheck Fairness Act later this year. This legislation strengthens the Equal Pay Act of 1963, providing more effective remedies to women not being paid equal wages for equal work.

"Equal pay is not only a women's issue, it's a family issue. When women in the workplace earn less then men, households suffer as less income is available for parents to pay for groceries, doctors' visits, or child care.

"The earning gap in Florida between college educated men and women who work full-time and year round is 70%, meaning that for every dollar a man earns, a woman earns .70 cents. Florida is ranked 44th in the nation in this category, a distinction not befitting the Sunshine State.

"Democrats in Congress will end this unfair labor market practice by putting families first and closing the pay gap. Equal pay for equal work is a fundamental tenant of fairness that all workers deserve.

Congressman Kendrick B. Meek (D-FL) represents the 17th Congressional District which includes parts of Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. He serves on the House Armed Services Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee.

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