FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Filibuster Vote on Paycheck Fairness Act "a Deep Disappointment," Women’s Leader Says, Vowing that "the Fight for Fair Pay Will Continue"

Statement of Debra Ness, President, National Partnership for Women & Families

WASHINGTON, DC — November 17, 2010 — "It is a deep and painful disappointment that the inexcusable filibuster against the Paycheck Fairness Act prevailed. Today’s vote will cost America’s women fair wages, and cost its families the economic security they urgently need — for now. A minority prevailed and America lost, but the fight for fair pay will surely continue.

Today a minority in the Senate denied the nation badly needed remedies for the discriminatory pay practices that plague our workplaces 45 years after the Equal Pay Act became law. The Paycheck Fairness Act carefully balanced protections for employers and employees, and would have helped close a wage gap that now results in women being paid just 77 cents to a man’s dollar. Women of color fare even worse.

Equal pay for equal work is the most fundamental of American principles, which is one reason the Paycheck Fairness Act has overwhelming public support. Voters all across the country reached out to lawmakers these last few weeks to urge an up-or-down vote in the Senate. Opponents denied that today.

But the fight will continue tomorrow, and every day until women are paid equally for their work. Critical advances for women have never come quickly or easily in this country, but they always come. We will pass the Paycheck Fairness Act. We will find new ways to fight wage discrimination. We will continue the march toward equality."

The National Partnership for Women & Families drafted and led the fight to pass the Family & Medical Leave Act. It is a non-profit, non-partisan advocacy group dedicated to promoting fairness in the workplace, access to quality health care and policies that help women and men meet the dual demands of work and family.

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