WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Tom Udall expressed his disappointment that Republicans again blocked the Paycheck Fairness Act, a bill that would ensure women receive equal pay for equal work. Although the bill received support from a majority in the Senate, 52-40, it failed to receive the 60 votes necessary to overcome the Republican filibuster. Today's vote was the second time this year that Republicans have filibustered equal pay for equal work.
Udall issued the following statement on Republicans' filibuster of the Paycheck Fairness Act:
"Equal pay for equal work is a basic principle we should all be able to agree on," Udall said. "But 50 years after we passed the Equal Pay Act, women still make less than men for the same work -- 80 cents for every dollar men make in New Mexico. I've heard from women across our state who say that they need the Paycheck Fairness Act to help them fight for fair and equal pay. I'm disappointed that Senate Republicans again said 'no' to supporting working families and chose filibuster this bill. New Mexico families will be better off when take-home pay is no longer tied to gender, and I will continue to fight for a solution to pay inequality."
