John --

Today is Equal Pay Day for Latina workers, meaning Latinas have to work on average almost an extra full year to earn what a white, non-Hispanic man earns in 365 days.

The truth of the matter is, the pay gap is hurting all of us -- regardless of where you fall on the scale above.

It’s holding back our female workers, robbing them of a small fortune over a lifetime, and it’s holding back our economy as so many women are denied the same economic opportunity as their male counterparts.

I’ve been advocating for equal pay since before I even ran for office. And now that I am your congresswoman, I’ve had the chance to support the United States Women’s National Team in their fight for equal pay and co-sponsor the Paycheck Fairness Act to end wage discrimination and ensure women -- no matter the job -- get equal pay for equal work.

More than five decades after the passage of the Equal Pay Act of 1963, we are still fighting for equal pay in America. If like me, you agree that paying people fairly shouldn’t be dependent on their gender, race, or ethnicity, add your name to the petition this Equal Pay Day.

When working mothers hold down a full-time job but still earn less, that’s less income they have to spend on basic necessities like food, rent, and child care -- and less of a chance for economic upward mobility for their whole family.

I am grateful for the House majority who are just as dedicated as I am to ending this injustice, and to all of you who are fighting for change at home in WA and across the country to close the pay gap.

Equal pay starts with all of us -- advocating for our women co-workers, salary transparency, and using our voices to demand more. So please, join me in the work to close the gap. Add your name to the petition today.

Thank you,

Suzan DelBene