For immediate release: June 6, 2012.

Republicans Vote Against Pay Equity and Working Families

Yesterday, Senate Republicans voted to block a bill that would guarantee that women make the same amount of money as men for the same work. Congressman Bass is still refusing to say whether he would back the pay equity legislation that would require employers to pay men and women equal pay for equal work and forbid employers from retaliating against an employee who shares salary information.

“Republicans need to stop attacking working class families and making it harder for them to provide for their families” said Emily Mellencamp Smith, spokesperson for Annie Kuster. Smith went on to say, “Congressman Bass needs to stand up to the Tea Party Republicans in the House to get this important piece of legislation passed for New Hampshire families.”

“This is a real problem with real consequences – in New Hampshire women make 78 cents on for every dollar a man makes for the same work. Additionally, there are 47,657 households here that are headed by women and over 21% of those families live below the poverty line. Pay Equity for many families in New Hampshire is the difference between whether to buy medicine or groceries, “ said Annie Kuster. “I pledge to make sure that there is an even playing field for New Hampshire families and that everyone, man or woman, gets honest pay for honest work.”

Background:

47, 657 Households in New Hampshire Headed by Women. U.S. Census Bureau (2010) data based on calculation of households headed by women with family present but with no husband. American Community Survey 1 Year Estimates, Geographies: New Hampshire, Table DP02: Selected Social Characteristics in the United States: 2010.

Over 21% Of Households In New Hampshire That Are Headed By Women With Family But No Husband Present Live Below The Poverty Line. U.S. Census Bureau (2010). American Community Survey 1 Year Estimates, Geographies: New Hampshire, Table DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics.

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