*Similar releases will be sent targeting vulnerable Senators and Senate candidates in New Hampshire, Nevada, Ohio, Wisconsin, Arkansas, Arizona, Illinois, Missouri, North Carolina, Kentucky and Florida
Today is Equal Pay Day, the day a woman would have to work until in 2016 to make the same amount of money a man made in 2015. This day serves as an important reminder that Senator Pat Toomey has voted five times against legislation to help close the wage gap and ensure women are fairly compensated for their work.
In Pennsylvania, women make just 79 cents for every dollar a man makes, but that hasn’t stopped Toomey from repeatedly blocking the Paycheck Fairness Act, a bill that would require businesses to explain why wage gaps between their male and female employees exist, penalize businesses for retaliating against employees who share salary information with each other, and impose tougher penalties against employers for wage discrimination.
“Equal Pay Day is an important reminder that Pennsylvania women lose an average of $420,000 in their lifetime due to the wage gap, but Senator Pat Toomey has repeatedly opposed any attempt to address paycheck fairness,” said Lauren Passalacqua, DSCC National Press Secretary. “Senator Toomey has shown that he is out-of-touch with the people in his state, and Pennsylvanians need a Senator like Katie McGinty who will fight for them.”
BACKGROUND:
TOOMEY VOTED 5 TIMES AGAINST THE PAYCHECK FAIRNESS ACT
Jun. 2012: Toomey Voted To Block Even Considering Paycheck Fairness Act. In 2012, Toomey voted against: “Motion to invoke cloture (thus limiting debate) on the Reid, D-Nev., motion to proceed to the bill that would require that employers show that any pay disparity is job-related and not based on gender.” The motion was rejected by a vote of 52-47. [CQ, 6/5/12; S. 3220, Vote 115, 6/5/12]
Apr. 2014: Toomey Voted To Block Even Considering The Paycheck Fairness Act. In 2014, Toomey voted against: “Motion to invoke cloture (thus limiting debate) on the Reid, D-Nev., motion to proceed to the bill that would require employers to demonstrate that wage gaps between men and women with similar qualifications and in similar jobs have a business justification. It would prohibit employers from retaliating against employees who share salary information and authorize the Labor secretary to seek additional compensatory or punitive damages in a sex discrimination action. The bill also would require the Labor Department to provide training and collect wage information.” The motion to advance the Paycheck Fairness Act failed, 53-44. [CQ, 4/9/14; S. 2199, Vote 103, 4/9/14]
Sep. 2014: Toomey Voted To Block Even Considering The Paycheck Fairness Act. In 2014, Toomey voted against: “Motion to invoke cloture (thus limiting debate) on the Reid, D-Nev., motion to proceed to the bill that would require employers to demonstrate that wage gaps between men and women with similar qualifications and in similar jobs have a business justification. It would prohibit employers from retaliating against employees who share salary information and authorize the Labor secretary to seek additional compensatory or punitive damages in a sex discrimination action.” The motion was agreed to 73-25. [CQ, 9/10/14; S. 2199, Vote 260, 9/10/14]
Sep. 2014: Toomey Voted To Block The Paycheck Fairness Act. In 2014, Toomey voted against: “Motion to invoke cloture (thus limiting debate) on the bill that would require employers to demonstrate that wage gaps between men and women with similar qualifications and in similar jobs have a business justification. It would prohibit employers from retaliating against employees who share salary information and authorize the Labor secretary to seek additional compensatory or punitive damages in a sex discrimination action. The bill also would require the Labor Department to provide training and collect wage information.” The motion to limit debate failed 52-40. [CQ, 9/15/14; S. 2199, Vote 262, 9/15/14]
Mar. 2015: Toomey Voted Against Paycheck Fairness Amendment To Senate Budget Resolution. In March 2015, Toomey voted against: “Mikulski, D-Md., amendment no. 362 that would create a deficit-neutral reserve fund to allow for legislation related to equal pay policies, including allowing for punitive damages, limiting the exception for unequal pay and preventing retaliation against employees who share salary information.” The amendment was rejected 45-54. [CQ, 3/24/15; S.Amdt. 362 to S.Con.Res. 11, Vote 82, 3/24/15]
IN PENNSYLVANIA, WOMEN MAKE 79 CENTS ON THE DOLLAR COMPARED TO MEN
In Pennsylvania Women Earned 79 Cents On The Dollar Compared To Men. According to the National Women’s Law Center, women in Pennsylvania earned 79 cents on the dollar for every dollar earned by a man, amounting to a 21 cent wage gap for women. [National Women’s Law Center, 9/1/15]
IN PENNSYLVANIA, WOMEN LOSE $420,000 OVER THEIR LIFETIME DUE TO THE WAGE GAP
Pennsylvania Women Lose Over $420,000 Over Their Lifetime Due To Wage Gap. According to the National Women’s Law Center, women in Pennsylvania have lifetime losses due to the wage gap of $420,280. [NWLC, Lifetime Wage Gap, April 2016]
