Congressman Steven Horsford Votes to Pass the Paycheck Fairness Act

WASHINGTON D.C. — Today, Congressman Steven Horsford voted to pass H.R. 7, the Paycheck Fairness Act. The Paycheck Fairness Act strengthens the 1963 Equal Pay Act and closes its loopholes to ensure that all workers receive equal pay for equal work.

"Today, women across America drove to jobs where they will be paid lower salaries for equal work. Over a lifetime, the gender pay gap adds up to more than $400,000 — enough to pay off the mortgage or put two children through college," said Congressman Steven Horsford. "The Paycheck Fairness Act will not fix the systemic racism and sexism that are embedded in our nation's treatment of women, but it will take us a step closer to making equal pay a reality. I'm proud to have voted in favor of the Paycheck Fairness Act, and I urge the Senate to quickly take up and pass this long-overdue legislation into law."

Before the vote, Congressman Horsford delivered a floor speech (a downloadable clip can be accessed here) in support of the Paycheck Fairness Act, highlighting the acute pay disparities faced by women of color. On average, Black women earn only 63 cents for every dollar paid to white, non-Hispanic men. Hispanic women earn only 55 cents for every dollar paid to white, non-Hispanic men.

Congressman Horsford previously voted for the Paycheck Fairness Act in the 116th Congress, where it passed the House of Representatives 242-187 with bipartisan support.

The Paycheck Fairness Act is supported by a coalition of more than 200 organizations, including AAUW, National Women's Law Center, National Partnership for Women and Families, National Organization for Women, National Committee on Pay Equity, MomsRising, UltraViolet, Center for Law and Social Policy, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, NAACP, League of Women Voters, U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce, AFL-CIO, SEIU, United Steelworkers, AFSCME, American Federation of Teachers, National Education Association, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, American Psychological Association, Anti-Defamation League, and many more.

Media Contact
Geneva Kropper | geneva.kropper@mail.house.gov | 202-849-0251