Markey reiterates need to abolish the filibuster as Republicans block legislation to close the gender wage gap

Washington (June 8, 2021) -- Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) released the following statement today after Republicans filibustered the Senate passage of the Paycheck Fairness Act, legislation that would strengthen the Equal Pay Act of 1963 and guarantee that women can challenge pay discrimination and hold employers accountable. In Massachusetts, women earn just 83 cents to the dollar and the ratio is worse for women of color.  Black women in Massachusetts earn 59 cents and Latina women earn 51 cents on the dollar. 

“We cannot have economic justice or a truly open society without closing the gender wage gap. Women have been shortchanged before the COVID pandemic began and have carried the burdens of the public health crisis at home and at work. Today’s vote tells the American people that the majority of Senate Republicans support inequality over progress in our country. They claim to want to strengthen the economy, but only for half of the population," said Senator Markey. "The Paycheck Fairness Act would finally help close the wage gap and ensure equal pay for equal work, what should be a fundamental right in the 21st century. All Americans deserve economic security and a level playing field. This vote is yet one more example of why we must abolish the filibuster, end the era of Republican obstruction, and finally pass the popular legislation that will improve the lives of all Americans.”