Make Equal Pay for Equal Work the Law

Right now, women make up nearly half of the United States’ workforce, bringing billions of dollars into our economy and serving as the sole or primary income earner for almost half of all households. Yet despite the immense economic power they hold, women make on average only 80 cents for every dollar a white man makes. However, for women and other people of color, the pay gap is often even wider, with African American women making 61 cents, Native American women making 58 cents, and Latina American women making just 53 cents for every dollar.

This is unacceptable.

Decades after the passage of the Equal Pay Act and the Fair Labor Standards Act, women and people of color still face lower starting salaries and fewer opportunities for professional growth. This contributes to higher levels of poverty for women and children and reinforces social and economic barriers to health, education, and social opportunities.

Right now, the Senate has a chance to pass legislation that will bring us closer to eliminating the wage gap and ensuring that women receive equal pay for equal work. Yet despite recently passing with bipartisan support in the House of Representatives, Senate Leader Mitch McConnell is unlikely to even bring the legislation to a vote. That’s why we need your help.

Sign our petition today to tell Senate Leader McConnell to support people of color and women—#PeopleLikeUs—by bringing the Paycheck Fairness Act to a vote. Together, we can ensure that all people are paid what they have earned, regardless of their gender, race, or ethnicity!

Want to do more? Share this petition with your network, then call your Senators and tell them to urge McConnell to vote on the bill and ask them to support this critical piece of legislation.