WASHINGTON, DC (Press Release)—In response to the Senate’s failure to invoke cloture on the Paycheck Fairness Act (S. 3772), Barbara Weinstein, Legislative Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism issued the following statement:
“We are deeply disappointed by today’s Senate vote failing to invoke cloture on the Paycheck Fairness Act. This legislation would have provided women with an essential tool with which to effectively fight against wage discrimination. In these difficult economic times when dollars are already stretched thin, it is all the more inexcusable that the Senate has failed to help women who earn, on average, 77 cents for every dollar earned by their male counterparts.
“We have often noted that pay equity is a moral issue, one in which our religious beliefs in the fundamental equality between men and women and the dignity of work and fair compensation guide and strengthen our voices. Jewish tradition teaches that all human beings — men and women — are created in the image of God and that workers should never be robbed of the wages fairly owed to them. The Paycheck Fairness Act would have made important strides in meeting these moral imperatives and ensuring women the fair wages they deserve.
“More than 30 other faith organizations joined the Reform Movement in its support for the Paycheck Fairness Act. Although we are frustrated that the Senate was unable to make a clear statement of support for women, we remain committed to fighting for pay equity and look forward to working with the 112th Congress, the Obama administration and the faith community to reach this goal.”
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Preceding provided by the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism