Kuster Helps Reintroduce the Paycheck Fairness Act

On March 25, U.S. Rep. Ann McLane Kuster, D-NH, helped reintroduce the Paycheck Fairness Act, legislation she has championed since taking office, according to a press statement. The Paycheck Fairness Act would help eliminate pay disparities based on gender.

“On average today, women in New Hampshire continue to make only 78 cents to every dollar their male counterparts make. That’s simply unacceptable, and I was proud to reintroduce legislation to help close the gap and level the playing field for female workers and the families who rely on them,” said Kuster. “No woman should ever make less money than a man doing the same job. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join together and pass this legislation now, so we can move one step closer towards pay equity for every American, regardless of his or her gender.”

The Paycheck Fairness Act would institute a number of new safeguards against pay inequity, and would provide recourse for individuals who may be experiencing pay discrimination based on gender. It would also prohibit employers from retaliating against workers who share salary information with their coworkers – an important tool for victims of pay discrimination. Kuster also cosponsored this legislation last year, and has long pushed for its passage.

A strong advocate for paycheck fairness, Kuster believes pay inequity is not just a women’s issue, but a family issue. Since taking office, she’s worked to level the playing field for women and their families, and she’s fought to create equal opportunities for female professionals and women-owned businesses. Last year, Kuster authored a Women’s Economic Agenda, a plan for Congress to prioritize initiatives to reduce pay disparities based on gender and support Granite State women and their families. In her first term in office, Kuster successfully pushed the President to issue executive orders to support fair pay for federally contracted employees. She has also hosted a series of roundtables to hear directly from women business owners and other professionals all across New Hampshire about what more Congress can do to help Granite State women succeed and receive fair pay in the workplace.