Congressman Cleaver Marks the Fifth Anniversary of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act

Missouri's Fifth District - This is an important day, not just for women throughout Missouri's Fifth District, but for all Americans. Today marks the Fifth Anniversary of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. This law, at its core, is built on the notion of equal pay for women, providing basic protection against pay discrimination, and making sure women get their day in court if treated unfairly.

"It is about what is right, what is fair, and quite frankly, what is basic common sense," said U.S. Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II. "It doesn't matter what a person's gender, race, or background is, they should earn equal pay for equal work. Period."

The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act was the first piece of legislation signed into law by President Obama on January 29th, 2009. And while Congressman Cleaver vigorously supported that legislation, he says it doesn't mark an end, but a beginning.

"We have made progress to be sure," said Congressman Cleaver, "but there is still much work to be done. Women still earn less, on average, than their male counterparts. I am working for the passage of the Paycheck Fairness Act, which would continue to lift women to their rightful place on the pay scale."

Statistics show:

• Women in the United States still earn an average of just 77 cents for every dollar a man earns.
• Women make up almost half of the labor force.
• For nearly two-thirds of American families, mothers serve as the sole breadwinner or co-breadwinner.

The Paycheck Fairness Act is designed to close loopholes in the 50-year-old Equal Pay Act and give women opportunities to remedy employment situations where they are not being paid equal wages for equal work.

"Doing right by women in the workforce is not only the just thing to do," said Congressman Cleaver, "it's the smart thing to do. Allowing women to succeed helps them better their families, the economy, and the country as a whole."

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Oak Grove, North Kansas City, Gladstone, Claycomo, and all of Ray, Lafayette, and Saline Counties. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee and also serves as a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus.