Sen. Richard Blumenthal Pushes Again To Close Gender Pay Gap
HARTFORD, Conn. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- The time for equal pay between men and women has come, Sen. Richard Blumenthal says.
The Connecticut Democrat is mustering support for the Paycheck Fairness Act, which is expected to come up for a vote next month, WCBS 880 Connecticut Bureau Chief Fran Schneidau reported.
"Shockingly, in 2014, women throughout this country make 77 cents for every dollar earned by men," Blumenthal said.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal Fighting To Close Gender Wage Gap
Blumenthal said an earlier attempt to pass the bill failed when it was filibustered by some Senate Republicans.
"Some of the senators objected to any interference with decisions made by businesses," Blumenthal said. "Republican senators objected that businesses should be free to pay whatever they want."
Blumenthal called that argument baseless.
In April, President Barack Obama signed an executive order that would make it easier for workers of federal contractors to get information about workplace compensation.
While the president's actions affect only federal contractors, those directives can have a wide and direct impact. Federal contracting covers nearly one-quarter of the U.S. workforce and includes companies ranging from Boeing to small parts suppliers and service providers. Such actions also can be largely symbolic, designed to spur action in the broader economy.
By revisiting the Paycheck Fairness Act, Senate Democrats are following through on a promise not to let the issue drop.
"Rebuilding the middle class begins with good-paying jobs," Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I, said in April. "And those good-paying jobs won't happen if women are systematically denied fair pay simply based on their gender."
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