From: Nita and Shaunna, UltraViolet

Senator Mitch McConnell is claiming he spent a lifetime working for equal pay for women. But it’s a lie–he’s blocked all equal pay legislation. Tell Sen. McConnell to back up his words by endorsing the Paycheck Fairness Act.
http://act.weareultraviolet.org/go/1322?t=2&akid=701.6000.gZC2C8

Dear Readers:

Wow. In a recent interview, Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell’s spokesperson said this about pay discrimination: “As the father of three daughters, fair pay for women is more than a talking point for Sen. McConnell. It’s something he’s worked to achieve his entire career.”1

This would be all fine and dandy if it were the truth. But it’s not. Sen. McConnell, who is up for re-election, has voted against every piece of legislation that sought to establish equal pay for equal work like the Lily Ledbetter Act and the Paycheck Fairness Act (twice!).2

While Sen. McConnell is falsely claiming to support pay equity now, women are still making an average of 77 cents per every dollar a man makes. And the numbers are even lower for women of color: Compared to white men, African American women were paid 64%, and Latina women were paid just 55%.3 And because two thirds of mothers are breadwinners, it’s not just about women–families and children are affected by pay discrimination, too.4

It’s time to set the record straight. Pay equity has become a major issue in his reelection campaign and Sen. McConnell thinks he can get away with lying about his track record. But we can stop that and make sure the truth comes out. Can you sign the petition asking him to prove his commitment to pay equity by endorsing the Paycheck Fairness Act? If tens of thousands of us speak out, we can expose the truth–that Sen. McConnell is no friend of pay equity.

Can you sign this petition calling on Sen. McConnell to endorse the Paycheck Fairness Act?

http://act.weareultraviolet.org/go/1322?t=3&akid=701.6000.gZC2C8

On average, women lose $10,784 a year because they are paid less than men. What could you do with almost $11,000 extra a year? You could pay rent for over a year, buy groceries for over a year, or pay health insurance premiums for almost 4 years. You might even be able to save up to $800,000 for retirement.5

It is unfair that women have to pay a tax for simply being women.

Mitch McConnell’s blatant lie is disrespectful to all the people who have truly fought for equal pay only to find themselves unable to get legislation through Congress because of politicians like Sen. McConnell.

But this is Sen. McConnell’s moment to redeem himself. He might not have spent a lifetime fighting for equal pay, but he can start now by supporting the Paycheck Fairness Act. If it finally passed, it would get rid of loopholes that allow employers to pay women less. And as the Senate Minority Leader, Sen. McConnell is influential in shaping what GOP members will support.

But if thousands of us don’t speak up now, he’ll get away with lying about support for equal pay while nothing changes. If we show Sen. McConnell we’re onto the lie, media will take notice, and he’ll be forced to endorse the Paycheck Fairness Act or risk the media exposing him as untruthful as he campaigns for re-election.

Tell Sen. McConnell: If you say you care about equal pay, then publicly endorse the Paycheck Fairness Act.

http://act.weareultraviolet.org/go/1322?t=4&akid=701.6000.gZC2C8
Thanks for all you do.

–Nita, Shaunna, Kat, Karin, Malinda, Adam, and Gabriela, the UltraViolet team

Sources:

1. Grimes calls for additional child care tax breaks, Associated Press, November 22, 2013

2. Despite Voting Against It, Top Republican Claims He ‘Worked His Entire Career’ For Pay Equity, Think Progress, November 25, 2013

3. Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage, 2012 Census

4. Fact Sheet: The Wage Gap for Women, Center for American Progress, August 16, 2012

5. What Women Could Afford If They Earned Equal Pay For Equal Work, Forbes