Statement by the President on the Paycheck Fairness Act
I am deeply disappointed that a minority of Senators have prevented the Paycheck Fairness Act from finally being brought up for a debate and receiving a vote. This bill passed in the House almost two years ago; today, it had 58 votes to move forward, the support of the majority of Senate, and the support of the majority of Americans. As we emerge from one of the worst recessions in history, this bill would ensure that American women and their families aren’t bringing home smaller paychecks because of discrimination. It also helps businesses that pay equal wages as they struggle to compete against discriminatory competition. But a partisan minority of Senators blocked this commonsense law. Despite today’s vote, my Administration will continue to fight for a woman’s right to equal pay for equal work.
With so much ugly campaigning going on this cycle [see: California Governor's race and Delaware's Senate race as examples] it’s nice to see a candidate’s face in an ad, talking about women’s issues.
“Yes We Can” and “Si Se Puede” were the battle cries heard across the nation two years ago.
With mid-term elections only eight days away, I have to remind us that women have had significant gains under this administration that can not be ignored. We must get out to vote!
The list below include enormous gains for women and families, including legislation to directly address education, poverty and medical care.
Yes, unemployment is still high; yes, the economy is far from strong; and yes, many people are still hurting… however, we know that true change takes time. With that said, we can not abandon the foundation that is being laid for our children and great, grandchildren to come. Women and families need the type of policies that have been enacted since 2008.
VOTE ON NOVEMBER 2nd! Tell your friends, tell your family, tell your colleagues. It’s critical if you want to see true change in these United States.
I am excited to read former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice’s memoir, Extraordinary, Ordinary People. A book publicized based on its appeal to young adults, I believe it will offer inspiring commentary on the journey of a woman to one of the most prominent leadership roles in this country and her life afterward. You may say that I’m a fan of hers at times: I was among those eager to see Condi on NBC4 Washington when Barbara Harrison reported on the SOS’s workout regimen for a week, and I watched her recently on the Today Show.
Sidebar: I am not the greatest fan of the title, but you can’t judge a book by it’s cover, right? For some reason, it reminds me of New York Times best selling author Lawrence Otis Graham’s “Our Kind of People.” A book that provides an inside look at the lives of the black elite in America. I admit this is unrelated, but the connection crossed my mind.
While it is a challenge to pick up a book entirely about a woman who is of a different political philosophy than I, great lessons can be learned from diverse sources and I cannot wait to get to the bookstore and buy the book. Because of our anticipated differences – which certainly shape how we interpret our personal experiences and how we view the world – I will be paying careful attention to how Dr. Rice chronicles her past in the segregated South and how she addresses the triumphs and tragedies that she certainly faced as a woman in society destined for great things. I have heard mixed reviews about the memoir, but I will read it for myself.
BPW Foundation CEO Deborah L. Frett writes about the latest good news coming out of the Small Business Administration.
Last week the President signed a small business bill into law that gave eight tax breaks for small businesses, allows sole proprietors to deduct health care costs like other businesses and gives banks incentives to lend to small businesses.
This will affect 97% of the women owned businesses in the country. Included in the bill were important contracting changes which will result in more federal contracts to women owned firms. BPW has been working on securing these changes for years.
SBA Administrator Karen Mills announced the much-anticipated women’s procurement program, which will give contracting officers the ability to award more contracts to women owned businesses. By restricting competition in 83 industry NAICS codes, women owned businesses have a new tool to help grow their businesses and compete for federal contracting dollars.
In light of the fact that the federal government has never met its goal for contracting with women-owned firms, this program is necessary and greatly welcomed.
These are hard-won victories. It took 10 years to get the women’s procurement program in place and changes in the small business bill have taken decades of work to implement.
We are giving ourselves a pat on the back but we really need to give the White House, the SBA and Members of Congress the biggest pat on the back. Together, we achieved great things for women business owners.
You can read more from Frett on Twitter at @BPW_CEO.
Paycheck Fairness Act is Good for Business and Good For Employees
Urge your Senator to Pass the Paycheck Fairness Act NOW!
For the first time in history, women are on the verge of outnumbering men in the workforce. As the number of working women continues to increase, it is necessary to ensure that women receive fair treatment when performing the same job as their male counterparts. Pay equity not only affects the women who are working, but it also affects their families and their communities.
The Paycheck Fairness Act is a smart move for businesses.
· It reduces risk of litigation.
· It lowers employee absenteeism.
· It reduces employee turnover thus reducing employer costs.
The Paycheck Fairness Act is good for employees.
· It fosters an atmosphere of transparency.
· It allows employees to freely discuss salary with co-workers.
· It ensures equal pay for equal work.
Please take a moment to call or write your Senator to encourage their support. You can easily write your Senate by using our BPW Foundation Advocacy Center. Take the time to edit and personalize your letter. Tell your Senator why this issue is important to you.
Lilly Ledbetter will join Department of Labor Secretary Solis for a live webcast discussion on pay equity and its impact for working families.
BPW Foundation CEO Debbie Frett and Chair of the Board Roslyn Ridgeway will be there in person but you should join the call to hear the latest on equal pay and its chance at legislation.
Today, I attended CNBC’s town hall meeting, Investing in America, with President Obama. The President was intelligent, witty and thoughtful as always. He answered questions directly and addressed the concerns raised. I left the meeting excited and positive, feeling that POTUS Maximus was fighting for the American people, like me. I am a staunch Obama supporter and share it openly.
The coverage of this event however is characterizing it as Obama supporters who have lost faith in him as a leader. Please watch the actual broadcast and judge for yourself. The media coverage is a collection of sound bites. And as one gentleman pointed out: “You’re losing the war of sound bites. You’re losing the media cycles.”
What they didn’t capture from this PA small biz owner from Pennsylvania, was his continued support for Obama and his policies, giving examples of the stimulus package and auto industry investment; he outlined how legislation has businesses continue and congratulated on the job he is doing by investing in the country. His advice for the President was to regain the people who are losing faith, not because of what he hasn’t done, but because they are afraid.
The President reiterated that we have to get past the politics and back to making things better. We are in the midst of mid-term elections and a lot of ‘Obama hate’ and selective memory. I question the motivation of the media coverage that I’ve seen. At least I told you my bias from the beginning…
If you watched the broadcast or attended, tell us what you thought.
Today, I attended CNBC’s town hall meeting, Investing in America, with President Obama. The President was intelligent, witty and thoughtful as always. He answered questions directly and addressed the concerns raised. I left the meeting excited and positive, feeling that POTUS Maximus was fighting for the American people, like me. I am a staunch Obama supporter and share it openly.
