John,

Over 60 years ago, the Equal Pay Act of 1963 was passed.

This landmark law was meant to abolish wage disparity based on gender, requiring that men and women receive equal pay for equal work – a significant step forward for gender equality.

But, despite the progress made, the wage gap persists – and it’s right on our doorstep.

In New York, women earn just 88 cents for every dollar earned by men, and for women of color, the gap is even wider. Black women earn about 66 cents, Indigenous women earn 54 cents, and Hispanic women only earn 59 cents for every dollar earned by white men.

These numbers are not just about paychecks – they represent missed opportunities, the struggle to make ends meet, and a lack of basic respect. Gender equality means more than just equal pay: It’s about ensuring that every person, regardless of their race or gender, is afforded the same opportunities and is treated with the same decency in the workplace and beyond.

Fairness and equality are core American values, but the fight to ensure our government honors the ideals enshrined in our Constitution is ongoing. In Congress, I will fight to close the gender pay gap by:

• Passing the Paycheck Fairness Act to strengthen equal pay laws
• Passing the PRO Act so more workers, including women in service jobs, have the protection of a union
• Passing comprehensive paid family and medical leave and support for affordable child care

Ensuring that every woman receives fair compensation for her contributions requires that our policies reflect our commitment to equality, and I am committed to passing legislation to make that happen. But I can’t do it alone.

Are you ready for a new leader representing Long Island who will fight to make sure that all Americans are treated with decency and respect? Chip in $10 or more to help me continue building this grassroots campaign. >>

Onward,

Nancy