WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-5) joined the Democratic Women’s Caucus at an Equal Pay Day press event to highlight the Democrats’ reintroduction of the Paycheck Fairness Act and ongoing fight to ensure pay equity for women nationwide. Below is a transcript of her remarks: 

“Thank you, Congresswoman Frankel, the Democratic Women's Caucus, and our special guests. I am so proud to stand here with these leaders in the movement for equality. From Capitol Hill to the Labor Department, from the soccer field to the corner office, women are fighting for the future our daughters deserve – that Pherabe deserves. A future grounded in freedom and equality. And let's be clear: we have a long way to go.

“On Tuesday, the average American woman will finally catch up to her male colleagues’ 2022 income. And here's what that means at the kitchen table: AAPI women are making 80 cents on the dollar, Black women are taking home 64 cents on the dollar, moms are making 62 cents, and Latina women are making 54 cents. That kind of ingrained, widespread injustice leaves everyone worse off. It means tighter family budgets. It means an economy and a country that can never reach its full potential.

“That's why Democrats have always fought for pay equity. Half a century ago, President Kennedy signed the Equal Pay Act. Decades later, President Obama signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. And now, Rosa DeLauro is leading the charge, and it's time to send the Paycheck Fairness Act to President Biden.

“And now, we're going to yield to our Leader. We are so proud to have him in this fight for equality with us – Hakeem Jeffries.”

To view event photos, click HERE.