As part of his blueprint for a stronger American economy in the State of the Union, President Obama highlighted the importance of a highly skilled workforce where employees are compensated with equal pay for equal work, regardless of their sex.
“You see, an economy built to last is one where we encourage the talent and ingenuity of every person in this country,” President Obama said. “That means women should earn equal pay for equal work. It means we should support everyone who’s willing to work; and every risk-taker and entrepreneur who aspires to become the next Steve Jobs.”
American women have made strides in not only entering into, but also advancing themselves in, a once male dominated skilled workforce. Yet, at a time when women outpace men in earning higher degrees of education, it’s alarming that women in the United States still earn an average of 78 cents to every dollar men earn.
Senator Coons, a supporter of gender equality, firmly believes that the promise of equal opportunity for those who wish to strive to their fullest economic potential is a cornerstone of this nation. That’s why he cosponsored the Paycheck Fairness Act, which reforms procedures for enforcing the Equal Pay Act of 1963 and requires that any employer trying to justify paying a man more than woman for the same job must show that the disparity is not sex-based but is job-related and necessary for the business. This legislation would also ensure that women can receive the same remedies for pay discrimination that are available under other laws for discrimination based on race and national origin, and it would enhance the collection of information on women’s and men’s wages in order to more fully explore the reasons for the wage gap and help employers in addressing pay disparities.
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