Washington, DC-Rep. Donald Norcross (NJ-01) today urged Congress to act on legislation to close the gender wage gap as the nation observes Women’s History Month.

“Women’s History Month is a time to celebrate the successes American women have achieved throughout our history. Let’s prove to our wives, daughters, sisters and all working American women that this Women’s History Month will be the pivotal time when we decide to do something meaningful--and close the gender wage gap for good,” said Rep. Norcross.

The Paycheck Fairness Act, which Rep. Norcross co-sponsored, amends the Equal Pay Act of 1963 and would require employers to document that any pay gaps between men and women are due to legitimate business reasons. The Act also prohibits employers from retaliating against employees who discuss or disclose salary information with their co-workers and allows women to join together in class-action lawsuits where there are allegations of sex-based pay discrimination.

“Despite all the progress women have made, the typical American woman, on average, still earns only 79 cents for every dollar earned by men.  The numbers  are even lower for black and Latina workers. That’s why I recently called on Congress to level the playing field and pass the Paycheck Fairness Act. In many cases, women performing the very same jobs as men are earning less. That’s outrageous. And it’s discrimination,” said Rep. Norcross.

In addition to the fight for equal pay, Rep. Norcross continues to promote an economic agenda for women and families including a higher minimum wage, paid sick days, paid family leave, affordable child care, and better retirement security.

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Congressman Donald Norcross is a member of the House Armed Services Committee and the House Budget Committee, and serves as Assistant Whip in the 114^th Congress.