Washington, D.C. – Congressman John D. Dingell (D-MI15) expressed his support of the thousands of women across the country today who are joining together in a national day of action against unfair pay.   Equal Pay Day symbolizes how far into 2011 women must work to earn what men earned in 2010.

“I commend the activists across the nation who are helping educate women and men about pay inequity and offering solutions to wage discrimination.  On a national level, women are paid only 77 cents for every dollar a man is paid.  It is unfair for women to earn less or have to work longer for the same pay.  I appreciate the efforts today to bring national attention to this important issue. 

“Fair pay will take real change, and together we are making a difference, but we can and we must do more.   We as Americans must do all we can to ensure every person is treated equally.  Pay inequality is not just an issue for women; families, communities, and our entire economy suffer because of it.  As we are still recovering from our economic downturn, now is the time to do more.  I call upon all Americans to acknowledge the injustice of wage discrimination and join efforts today to achieve equal pay for equal work.

Congressman Dingell has been a long-time fighter for equal pay for equal work, and he has supported bills in Congress aimed at curbing wage discrimination to fully close the wage gap.  He supported the Paycheck Fairness Act, a measure that would strengthen federal pay equity laws.  He fought to see that the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act became law to end pay disparities based on gender, age, race, ethnicity, religion, or disability by allowing more individuals to challenge inequality. 

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