“Today’s re-introduction of the Paycheck Fairness Act is a welcome sign for women and families who urgently need fair wages and stronger protections against discrimination. As the nation recognizes Equal Pay Day — the day when the income of women in this country finally catches up to the income of their male counterparts from the year before — members of Congress now have an opportunity to do something about the persistent wage gap that is harming America’s families and economy.

Women working full time today are still paid an average of only 77 cents for every dollar paid to full-time working men. The Paycheck Fairness Act is an essential step in closing that gap and truly valuing America’s working women and the families who depend on them. By establishing stronger workplace protections, the legislation will help to eliminate unequal pay practices and promote greater economic security for working families.

Women today are playing an increasingly important role as breadwinners in their families. When they unfairly lose wages, their families suffer. The majority of working mothers in the United States now bring in at least a quarter of their families’ earnings, and nearly 14.5 million households nationwide are headed by women. These women and their families cannot afford to lose critical income due to discrimination and unequal pay.

That is why the National Partnership for Women & Families applauds Senator Barbara Mikulski (D — Md.) and Representative Rosa DeLauro (D — Conn.) for re-introducing this essential legislation. This time, we need Congress to pass it so President Obama can sign it into law. We urge all members of Congress to get behind a bill that will help women today, and women in generations to come, gain equality and fairness in the workplace. It is the right thing to do for hard-working women throughout the country and the children and families who rely on them.”