‘Inequality still exists’: Congresswoman to hold hearing on pay gap on Equal Pay Day
WASHINGTON – In 2021, pay disparities and discrimination still exist between men and women, and Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., wants people to know that Equal Pay Day is not one of celebration.
“This day marks the extra time it takes an average woman in the United States to earn the same pay that their male counterparts made the previous calendar year,” Maloney, chairwoman for the House Oversight Committee, told USA TODAY.
Maloney is holding a hearing on Wednesday — Equal Pay Day — to examine the pay gap, the disproportionate inequalities women of color face, discuss several pieces of “feminist legislation,” and hear from witnesses like U.S. Women’s National Team soccer star Megan Rapinoe.
Maloney told USA TODAY ahead of the hearing there is “a long way to go to achieve economic equality for women. The data is abundantly clear that this inequality still exists.” She also emphasized the disparities caused, and exacerbated, by COVID-19.
According to an analysis from the National Women’s Law Center, 100% of the jobs lost in December belonged to women — the coronavirus pandemic has had a disastrous impact disproportionality on women in the workforce.
In December, according to NWLC, women lost a total of 156,000 jobs, while men gained 16,000 jobs.
“During the coronavirus pandemic, we saw how women disproportionately shouldered the burden of care. Far too many women go without access to paid leave and affordable child care options and as a result, many are forced to decide between losing income or caring for their family — and many have lost their jobs entirely,” Maloney said, who also noted women of color shoulder most of it.
Since March, Black and Latina moms have stopped working, either voluntarily or due to layoffs, at higher rates than white moms.
Many are single moms who need child care but can’t access it during the pandemic. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, single moms had higher rates of unemployment than their childless counterparts in the second and third quarters of 2020.
settled its dispute with the federation over unequal working conditions in December, leaving the pay dispute still unresolved.
According to Rapinoe’s opening statement ,obtained by USA TODAY prior to the hearing, she will testify “there is no level of status, accomplishments, or power that will protect you from the clutches of inequity. One cannot simply outperform inequality of any kind.
“We are told in this country that if you just work hard and continue to achieve — you will be rewarded fairly. It’s the promise of the American dream. But that promise isn’t for everyone,” Rapinoe is expected to testify.
Highlighting the successes of the U.S. national women’s team, Rapinoe notes, “we are still paid less than men — for each trophy, each win, each tie, each time we play. Less. And if that can happen to us, to me, with the brightest lights shining on us — it can, and it does, happen to every person who is marginalized by gender.”
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Players and coaches posted pictures showing stark differences between the amenities, food, gifts and eventhe facilities, such as the men’s weight room compared to a small rack of dumbbells for the women.
The problems Rapinoe, and her teammates and female college basketball players have faced are not an anomaly.
Women in all positions and industries continue to face workplace hardships such as fewer promotions, less support and implicit bias. They experience pregnancy discrimination, exclusion from the so-called “boy’s club” and sexual harassment.
On top of all that, they’re are paid 80 cents on average for every dollar a man makes – a trend that’s expected to continue through the 23rd century.
At current rates of change, the global gender pay gap will close in 257 years, according to the World Economic Forum in 2019. That’s even worse than the year before, when the organization estimated it would take 202 years to close the gap.
More:When will women get equal pay? Not for another 257 years, report says
“This is a day when we reflect on this reality and examine what more we need to do, which is exactly what we’re doing with today’s hearing,” Maloney said of Equal Pay .
During the hearing, the committee will also examine several pieces of legislation that either recently passed the House or are expected to be brought up for a vote soon.
The Violence Against Women Act — landmark legislation championed by President Joe Biden that enshrined federal protections and support for survivors — will soon be making its way to a gridlocked Senate for reauthorization.
But the legislation is sure to face criticism on one of the main points of contention from Republicans: the proposed elimination of the “boyfriend loophole,” which would prohibit individuals convicted of misdemeanor stalking or domestic violence from buying a gun.
More:How can women get back to work in the middle of a pandemic?
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The committee will also discuss other measures like the Paycheck Fairness Act and the Child Care for Working Families Act.
“Passing and enacting comprehensive feminist legislation will help ensure full economic inclusion and equity for women,” Maloney said.
Contributing: The Associated Press; Nancy Armour, Dalvin Brown, Grace Hauck USA TODAY