Heinrich, Luján Statements On Paycheck Fairness Act

WASHINGTON (June 8, 2021) – U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) released the following statements today after the Paycheck Fairness Act, legislation they cosponsored to combat wage discrimination on the basis of gender, was blocked from passage on the Senate Floor by a Republican filibuster:

“Preventing women from earning equal pay for equal work is unacceptable — especially in a time when women are often the primary or joint breadwinners for their families,” said Heinrich, Vice Chair of the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee. “The gender wage gap halts the progress of our economy, forces women to make ends meet with less, and undermines the notion that everyone deserves an honest day’s pay for a full day’s work. After the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic that had a major and disproportionate impact on working mothers, it’s time to give New Mexico women a fair shot to get ahead and provide for their families. We will continue to fight for passage of the Paycheck Fairness Act to make that happen.”

“The Paycheck Fairness Act is a strong step toward finally ending pay inequality that for too long has held women back, especially women of color, Hispanics, and Native Americans. Women deserve equal for equal work, and I was proud to vote for this legislation to uplift New Mexico women, children, and families,” said Luján, a member of the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP). “It’s far past time to close the wage gap, end pay discrimination, and empower all New Mexicans to thrive.”

###