Portia Wu, Vice President
A few weeks ago, voters sent a clear message: They want Congress to work in a bipartisan manner to address the issues facing working families. But when Senators took their first vote after returning to Washington, they missed the chance to do just that. Yesterday’s vote on the Paycheck Fairness Act was a failed opportunity and a real disappointment for all of us who care about fairness, women’s progress, and economic security for working families.
Equal pay for equal work is one of the most fundamental American principles and this legislation was the perfect chance to demonstrate bipartisan consensus for a just and popular bill after a divisive election season. Instead, we saw partisan posturing that will keep America’s women from taking a critical step toward greater economic security for themselves and their families.
As most of you already know, the Senate could not muster enough votes to end the filibuster against the Paycheck Fairness Act because every Republican voted against it. The legislation had bipartisan support in the House, but not this week in the Senate.
This procedural roadblock will have real consequences for working families by denying them badly needed remedies for the discriminatory pay practices that still plague our workplaces 45 years after the Equal Pay Act became law. There is no question that this vote has stalled progress on women’s wages, family budgets and economic growth.
But this is not the end of the battle. Over the past few weeks, tens of thousands of supporters across the country sent messages to tell Congress that fair pay is important to them. We are stronger than we have ever been, and determined to win this fight.
The good news is that fair pay is also a top priority for President Obama. He met with representatives from women’s organizations, including me, immediately after the vote yesterday. It was encouraging to hear him underscore his deep personal commitment to the issue, and to talk about next steps.
The Paycheck Fairness Act had overwhelming public support. We will make sure that this fight continues until the legislation is law. As Debra Ness said in her statement following yesterday’s vote: “Critical advances for women have never come quickly or easily in this country, but they always come. We will achieve fair pay for women in this country. We must continue our march toward equality.”
It becomes daily more obvious that the extremists in Washington are somehow committed to enriching the rich at the expense of the less favored. With the disappearing Middle Class (income above $200,000 to $250,000 per year), that leaves the overwhelming majority of the US population in the Lower Class. Does anyone who voted for them have any understanding; and how can these professional politicians live with themselves unless they simply have no conscience or have simply sold their souls to the corporate giants who are doing their best to bury democracy?
Women are responsible for the welfare of the majority of children in this nation led by men. It is essential that these male leaders see and feel the need of fair pay scales for women in the United States of America. Men are happy to unite but reluctant to support, unfortunately.
I’ll contact my Repubican Congresspeople and try to find out why they didn’t vote for it and let you know what I found out.
I am trying to find a woman to go to Rome with me this next March for 3 months or fast (two meals a day) and pray in St Peters Square in Sackcloth. between April2, – June 2nd
If you know of anyone who would like to go with me. I have a friend who is willing to pay for her ticket and we will have a 2 bedroom apt. near the Vatican, which is right in downtown Rome, She would have time to see the area too.
Please let me know.
Betty C. Dudney
If Obama was behind fair pay for women he would have passed it by now. Instead, he promised us a lot to get elected, but he hasn’t followed through. This includes Don’t Ask Don’t Tell and Guantanamo. I’m not saying the Republicans will do better. We know they won’t. But the opportunity to make this happen has been squandered by the Democrats, and it is hard for me to understand why. The chances this will ever pass now is close to hopeless. Thanks for nothing, Democrats.
The Republican response is outrageous–immoral and blind to the will of the people.
We need to redouble our effort and fight harder!
I have worked in the retail and corporation marketplaces since 1960. I never received equal pay and finally went into business for myself. There are lots of trade offs in doing that like no pension. In spite of that the only time I felt my work was appreciated was when I owned my own business which I closed after 30 years.
I can’t believe that after 50 years women still do not get equal pay and that the Republicans are behaving in this manner. I hope they will all be voted out by women come the next election.
All citizens should be treated equal paid when doing the same job. The present situation must be corrected and soon. What kind of country would not treat all its citizens fairly in this regard, OURS this must stop.
Why is there so little publicity on this? And how can we make sure these clowns are not reelected? Forty five years in the workplace and the GOP spits in my face. Thanks, fellas.
How about the march to eliminate the filibuster? How about encouraging a filibuster so that the American people, especially the unemployed, can see exactly who does not want them to have their insurance benefits and why? How about forcing these Senators to declare their intentions toward women’s equality, as well as the ideal of equal pay for equal work, regardless of gender? How about driving home the continued march toward women’s oppression in the market place, in health care, in the Congress, and in their reproductive organs.
As Boehner might say, “Have you no shame?”
How about the march to eliminate the filibuster? How about encouraging a filibuster so that the American people, especially the unemployed, can see exactly who does not want them to have their insurance benefits and why? How about forcing these Senators to declare their intentions toward women’s equality, as well as the ideal of equal pay for equal work, regardless of gender? How about driving home the continued march toward women’s oppression in the market place, in health care, in the Congress, and in their reproductive organs.
As Boehner might say, “Have you no shame?”
More women voted for Republicans in this election cycle,Why?
Hi Portia
Best wishes for your Campaign. I am sure there are many women & women’s organisation worldwide watching with interest. Members of BPW International(Business & Professional Women)- are also campaigning strongly for Equal Pay around the world and in Australia have taken a lead bringing many others into an Alliance. Yes it takes a long time and many steps, but together we can make that difference.
I only wish governments would truly realise what they have to gain through Pay Equity.
kind regards
Gillian
This is as heartless by the Repubs as cutting off unemployment benefits.
Why didn’t they either have an up and down vote or allow the Republicans to really show how despicable they are by allowing them to filibuster. At least that would have brought A LOT of attention to their disgusting position on women’s issues. Harry Reid is a weak leader and I wish the Democrats would replace him with someone who’s really willing to fight for what’s right and just.
Why don’t they make the naysayers actually filibuster? They’d look silly and it would publicize the issue more widely.
One more set back. Keep fighting.
Thank You for all your effort to promote the Paycheck Fairness Act. So many families and individuals who work so hard could benefit from it. As I go door to door in my volunteer efforts, I have seen so much suffering and lack of hope. Please keep up your efforts to help the voiceless. Thank You again.
Why on earth does Sen. Harry Reid not end the filibuster and also the ability of just one senator to block a bill???! Until that happens, Democrats will get nothing done in the Senate, because the Republicans want to block all activity of the Democrats and the President. So forget bipartisanship; these days there is no such thing. It is up to the Democrats and Democratic-leaning Independents, i.e. Bernie Sanders, to find ways to go around the Republicans to move America forward. There is the budget reconciliation method, which was how the Dems were able to pass what health care reform they did. Use it more!
When will women in the Republican Party stand up and protect the rights of all women? Will the Republican Party continue forever to stomp on the underdogs of our country????
As usual this is status quo for the Republicans- don’t do what is just and fair…do what benefits the political party. Your article left me wondering…WHO took part in the filibuster. Please name names. The democrats need to fight in the public arena. We need to make our voices heard. We need to be writing letters to our local newspapers. Sadly most citizens are too busy and too oblivious to what goes on.
Yay us! Damn the torpedos. Full speed ahead.
Thank you all for your extraordinary efforts on behalf of the greater than 50% of the American public.
Let me know what I can do in my meager way to help.
Susan French
Senior Woman Standing for the Re-Election of Barack Obama
and the reinstatement of Democratic Party control.
Women must be paid a fair wage. I never was.
I’d like to know who blocked it.
Republicans, I have one question especially to those of you who claim to be Christians, Why can you not support legislation that supports equal pay for equal work? At the moment white men have the advantage in the work place when it comes to pay yet women and others contribute equally therefore why are they not paid equally? I thought equality was a Christian value and that all (wo)men are equal therefore why perpetuate and suppress others by withholding equal pay for equal work. I thought another Christian principle was to set the downtrodden free and yet for the most part I see Republicans doing the opposite voting for legislation that keeps the downtrodden , downtrodden and keeps the elite, elite. Hypocrisy sums it up.
We need to publish and disseminate widely the names of Senators who use Filibusters and Holds to block the passage of legislation; those names should be disseminated as widely as possible on a national scale, so that we can hold these Senators publically accountable for their undemocratic practices. It is an absurdity that a single senator can block the passage of a bill, that is the kind of behaviour we expect of a malevolent dictatorship, not a democracy!
My husband is being overlooked on getting a promotion with the Gas Company he works for in Cleveland,Ohio.
He has been there 5 years and while others were promoted on based on the same or lesser seniority,he was denied without just cause after trying to post for positions and is not getting fair representation by his Union representative.
He doesnt take sick time and is a timely and efficient worker.
He volunteered for the safety committee and has taken courses to help better his position but to no avail.
Please have the workers rights policy be reviewed for ALL workers to help American workers seek fairness and justice in the workplace.
This is happening more in companies who chose to play FAVORITES.
One observation my husband noted is there is a high degree of IRISH in his profession so there is a political climate that should be considered in reviewing this EQUAL pay law since he is being denied opportunities for no just cause!
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE PRESIDENT work more towards enacting merit and fairness towards the goal of equality for those who seek and should NOT BE DISCRIMATED AGAINST regarding
GENDER
AGE
ETHICITY
RACE
SEX
Please put mandates on EMPLOYERS by penalizing them who deny equal opportunity and and have them assessed YEARLY with EQUALITY standards in place so that they who continue to unfairly justify advancement of workers whether it be union or not to bypass workers based on personal bias or unjustified disqualification from job opportunities and not allow them the right to equal opportinities for advancement in the workplace.
Sincerely,
Marilyn Dinard
FIGHT ON SISTERS!
Of course with the Republicans now in congress, we will have to fight harder for
our principles (the Republicans being the anti-democratic, racist and chauvinist political machine that they are).
I’m a man, but also an American and because of that fact, I support the rights of women and all minorities to achieve equality. SAME WORK SHOULD HAVE EQUAL PAY.
The republicans are afraid of freedom because the freer the people are the further removed from their Military Police state they become.
Maybe all members of Congress need to be asked publicly – Are you happy for your wife or daughters or granddaughters to be paid less because of their gender?
I agree with Marleine – How about forcing these Senators to declare their intentions toward women’s equality, as well as the ideal of equal pay for equal work, regardless of gender?