Actions | Poverty in America

Urge Senators to Support the Paycheck Fairness Act

To: The U.S. Senate

In every state in the country, women earn significantly less than men. The Paycheck Fairness Act would strengthen current laws against wage discrimination and provide tools to enable the federal government to be more proactive in the fight. In 45 years, women's wages compared to men's have only increased by 19 cents. We still have 22 cents to go. The bill has already passed the House, so voice your support and help it pass in the Senate.

Read more on the Women's Rights blog.

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Sign the Letter

Women Deserve Equal Pay Now.

Dear Senator,

Women are far more likely to live in poverty than men. Women working full-time, year-round are paid only about 78 cents for every dollar earned by men. To provide much needed improvements to current laws and to require the federal government to be more proactive in addressing wage discrimination, I urge you to take immediate action on pay equity by passing the Paycheck Fairness Act without any weakening amendment. The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act restored to women the right to go to court to challenge pay discrimination. But more is necessary to realize the promise of equal pay for equal work. The Paycheck Fairness Act, which was passed by the House in January 2009, would deter wage discrimination by closing loopholes in the Equal Pay Act and barring retaliation against workers who disclose their wages. The bill also allows women and men to receive the same remedies for sex-based pay discrimination that are currently available to those subject to discrimination based on race and national origin. In addition, the bill would improve the collection of pay information by the Department of Labor and the EEOC to enable those agencies to evaluate pay disparities; facilitate class actions in Equal Pay Act claims to ensure that the rules that apply to civil rights lawsuits generally also govern the Equal Pay Act; and spark the development of salary negotiation skills training. Now is the time for Congress to take the steps necessary to effectively address wage discrimination and eliminate loopholes that have undermined the Equal Pay Act's effectiveness. Again, I urge you to vote to approve the Paycheck Fairness Act when it comes to the floor, and to oppose any weakening amendments. I look forward to your response.

[Your name here]

Sorry, the time period for signing this petition has ended.

Vikie Howell Manchester, NY

Sent letter to Chuck Schumer

Jul 27
Kactus Kat Peoria, AZ

Sent letter to John McCain and Jon Kyl

Jul 27
Danielle Williamson Hollywood, FL

Sent letter to Mel Martinez and Bill Nelson

Jul 25
Bruce Combs Williamsburg, VA

Sent letter to Jim Webb and Mark Warner

Jul 23
Terrie C. Williams Vidor, TX

Sent letter to Kay Hutchison and John Cornyn

Jul 22
Andreea Tanase Riverside, CA

Sent letter to Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer

Jul 20
Katja Siirasto Helsinki, Finland

Sent letter to Richard Shelby and Jeff Sessions

Jul 19
Joan E Loza Mobry Madison, WI

Sent letter to Russ Feingold and Herb Kohl

Jul 19
Joy Bergstrom Wake Forest, NC

Sent letter to Richard Burr and Kay Hagan

Jul 19
Lily Rocco New York, NY

Sent letter to Chuck Schumer

Jul 18