WASHINGTON – DNC Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz released the following statement on the 7th anniversary of President Obama signing the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act into law:
 
“Seven years ago today, surrounded by advocates for equal pay, President Obama signed the first law of his administration, the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. Named for a woman who fought back after discovering her male co-workers were getting paid more for doing the same work, the Fair Pay Act restored the rights of employees everywhere to effectively challenge pay discrimination in the workplace.
 
“In four-in-ten households, women serve as their family’s primary breadwinner, so the Fair Pay Act wasn’t just a victory for women, it was a victory for entire families, and it set the stage for seven years of economic progress under President Obama. But the fact remains that women still earn just 79 cents for every dollar a man makes. Clearly, there’s much more work to do.
 
“Democrats are committed to keep fighting for smart economic policies like the promise of equal pay to grow the middle class and expand opportunity for all Americans. But time and time again, Republicans have stood in the way – opposing efforts to close the gender pay gap while siding with corporations over workers. Time and time again, the GOP’s 2016 presidential contenders have dismissed the importance of equal pay as an economic issue for hardworking American families.
 
“The choice this November couldn’t be clearer. We need to carry on the progress President Obama began when he signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act seven years ago. We need to elect a Democrat to the White House in 2016 to keep America moving forward.”