WASHINGTON – Today, Representative Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) voted to pass H.R. 7, the Paycheck Fairness Act. She is an original co-sponsor on the bill, which amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to prevent and remedy discrimination in wages based on sex. The House passed the bill 242-187.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

“I believe in the simple principle that equal pay deserves equal work,” said Houlahan. “Employers must be held accountable when it comes to providing equal wages across gender lines. As a woman in Congress and a mother to two daughters, I believe this legislation is an important step in ensuring that we as women and our daughters after us receive the same as our male counterparts.”

Among its key provisions, the Paycheck Fairness Act:

Requires employers to prove that pay disparities exist for legitimate, job-related reasons.  In doing so, it ensures that employers who try to justify paying a man more than a woman for the same job must show the disparity is not sex-based, but job-related and necessary.

Bans retaliation against workers who voluntarily discuss or disclose their wages.

Ensures women can receive the same robust remedies for sex-based pay discrimination that are currently available to those subjected to discrimination based on race and ethnicity.

Removes obstacles in the Equal Pay Act to facilitate a wronged worker’s participation in class action lawsuits that challenge systemic pay discrimination.

Makes improvements in the Department of Labor’s tools for enforcing the Equal Pay Act.

Provides assistance to all businesses to help them with their equal pay practices, recognizes excellence in pay practices by businesses, and empowers women and girls by creating a negotiation skills training program.

Prohibits employers from relying on salary history in determining future pay, so that pay discrimination does not follow women from job to job.

Houlahan is an Air Force veteran, an engineer, a serial entrepreneur, an educator, and a nonprofit leader. She’s in her first term representing Pennsylvania’s 6th Congressional District, which encompasses Chester County and southern Berks County. She serves on the House Armed Services Committee, the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and the House Small Business Committee.

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