03.24.21

On Equal Pay Day, Committee Advanced Bipartisan Legislation to Close Gender Pay Gap, Confront Workplace Discrimination, and Improve Workplace Safety

Committee advances Paycheck Fairness Act, Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, and Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act

WASHINGTON – Today, the Committee on Education and Labor advanced three bipartisan bills to close the gender pay gap, establish clear-cut protections for pregnant workers, and prevent violence against health care and social service workers. 

“These three bills deliver on our promise to ensure that, as our economy slowly recovers from the pandemic, all Americans will have access to safe workplaces where they can work free from discrimination,” said Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03).

The Paycheck Fairness Act (H.R. 7) addresses pay inequity by holding companies accountable for gender-based wage disparities, strengthening the Equal Pay Act of 1963, and protecting the rights of workers to challenge systemic pay discrimination. Today is also Equal Pay Day, which symbolizes how far into the year women must work to earn what men earned in the previous year. 

The Paycheck Fairness Act advanced out of Committee by a vote of 25-22, with zero Republicans supporting the bill. For a fact sheet on the bill, click here.

The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (H.R. 1065) is a bipartisan proposal which establishes a pregnant worker’s clear-cut right to reasonable accommodations – such as water breaks, seating, relief from heavy lifting and other basic changes that would allow them to continue working safely. The bill is endorsed by a wide range of civil rights groups, worker advocates, and business groups, including the Chamber of Commerce. 

The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act advanced out of Committee by a vote of 30 to 17, with 5 Republicans supporting the bill. For a fact sheet on the bill, click here. 

The Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act (H.R. 1195) provides health and social service workers stronger workplace protections. Health care workers suffer the highest rates of workplace violence of any occupation.

The Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act advanced out of Committee by a vote of 27-20 with two Republicans supporting the bill. For a fact sheet on the bill, click here. 

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