Recognizing the significance of equal pay and the disparity in wages paid to men and to Black women.
- Bill Number
- H.Con.Res. 42
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Labor and Employment
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-07-10: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- Last Updated
- 2025-12-05T21:44:29Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 42) aims to recognize July 10, 2025, as Black Women's Equal Pay Day. It highlights the ongoing wage gap faced by Black women compared to White, non-Hispanic men, emphasizing the economic and social impacts of pay disparities based on race and gender. The resolution reaffirms Congress's commitment to equal pay for equal work and narrowing the gender wage gap.
Key Provisions
- Recognition of Wage Disparity: Acknowledges that Black women working full-time earn about 66 cents for every dollar paid to White, non-Hispanic men, dropping to 64 cents when including part-time and part-year workers. It notes that at current rates, equal pay could take over 200 years to achieve.
- Economic Consequences: Details lost earnings over a 40-year career (estimated at nearly $1,019,200 per Black woman) and how this affects family support, savings, investments, and the broader economy. It also highlights how the gap persists across education levels and in leadership roles.
- Contributing Factors: Points to barriers like lack of affordable childcare, paid family/medical leave, and sick leave; dual discrimination based on race and gender; workplace sexual harassment (with Black women filing the most charges); overrepresentation in low-wage jobs; and employer restrictions on discussing pay.
- Broader Disparities: Connects the wage gap to wider issues for Black women, including higher rates of being primary breadwinners (69% of Black mothers vs. about 33% of non-Hispanic White mothers), and challenges in homeownership, unemployment, poverty, and wealth accumulation.
- Resolution Clause: Congress resolves to (1) recognize the wage disparity's impact on Black women, families, and the U.S. economy, and (2) reaffirm support for equal pay and reducing the gender wage gap.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This is a non-binding concurrent resolution, so it introduces no changes to existing laws. It references foundational statutes like the Equal Pay Act of 1963 (which bans sex-based pay discrimination for equal work) and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (which prohibits discrimination in pay based on race, color, religion, national origin, or sex), but does not amend or enforce them.
Potential Impacts
- On Citizens: Raises public awareness of pay inequities, potentially empowering Black women workers to advocate for better pay, benefits, and workplace protections. It illustrates how closing the gap could cover costs like college tuition, health insurance, groceries, housing, childcare, or student debt repayment, benefiting families and low-income communities.
- On Government Agencies: No direct mandates, but it may encourage agencies like the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC, which handles discrimination complaints) and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (which tracks wage data) to prioritize related research and enforcement.
- On International Relations: Minimal impact, as this is a domestic symbolic measure focused on U.S. labor equity.
- Overall: Primarily symbolic, it could spur future legislative efforts (e.g., pay transparency laws or expanded family leave) without immediate enforceable effects.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Black Women Workers: Directly addressed as facing compounded race- and gender-based pay discrimination, with implications for their earnings, career advancement, and family stability.
- Families and Communities: Especially those reliant on Black women as breadwinners, affected by reduced household income and limited access to essentials.
- Employers and Businesses: Highlighted for practices like pay secrecy and harassment, which could face increased scrutiny or voluntary reforms to avoid discrimination claims.
- Advocacy Organizations: Groups designating Black Women's Equal Pay Day (e.g., women's rights and civil rights nonprofits) gain congressional endorsement, potentially boosting their campaigns.
- Congress and Policymakers: Signals bipartisan or multipartisan support (introduced by numerous representatives), influencing future bills on equity.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Reinforces existing anti-discrimination laws without creating new obligations; it underscores enforcement gaps in the Equal Pay Act and Title VII, potentially supporting future lawsuits or EEOC actions on pay equity.
- Constitutional: Aligns with the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment (which requires fair treatment under the law) by spotlighting racial and gender disparities, but as a resolution, it has no binding force.
- Political: Demonstrates congressional attention to intersectional issues (race and gender), introduced by a diverse group of 60+ representatives mostly from the Democratic Party. It could energize voter bases on equity topics but may face criticism as symbolic without accompanying funding or reforms; the narrow wage gap progress (only 5 cents in 20 years) highlights ongoing policy debates on multifaceted strategies like anti-harassment measures and pay transparency.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (75)
Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12], Rep. Frankel, Lois [D-FL-22], Rep. Leger Fernandez, Teresa [D-NM-3], Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3], Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6], Rep. Lynch, Stephen F. [D-MA-8], Rep. Foushee, Valerie P. [D-NC-4], Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44], Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7], Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6], Rep. Jackson, Jonathan L. [D-IL-1], Rep. Omar, Ilhan [D-MN-5], Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5], Rep. Bishop, Sanford D. [D-GA-2], Rep. DelBene, Suzan K. [D-WA-1], Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4], Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24], Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2], Rep. Swalwell, Eric [D-CA-14], Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37], Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Fields, Cleo [D-LA-6], Rep. Velázquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7], Rep. Castor, Kathy [D-FL-14], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4], Rep. Frost, Maxwell [D-FL-10], Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Ramirez, Delia C. [D-IL-3], Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7], Rep. McBath, Lucy [D-GA-6], Rep. Mfume, Kweisi [D-MD-7], Rep. Smith, Adam [D-WA-9], Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila [D-FL-20], Rep. Kennedy, Timothy M. [D-NY-26], Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-12], Rep. Meeks, Gregory W. [D-NY-5], Rep. Amo, Gabe [D-RI-1], Rep. DeLauro, Rosa L. [D-CT-3], Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5], Rep. Kelly, Robin L. [D-IL-2], Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5], Rep. Strickland, Marilyn [D-WA-10], Rep. Thompson, Mike [D-CA-4], Rep. Brown, Shontel M. [D-OH-11], Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-8] and 25 more
Recent Actions
- 2025-07-10: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- 2025-07-10: Submitted in House
- 2025-07-10: Submitted in House
Bill Versions
- Recognizing the significance of equal pay and the disparity in wages paid to men and to Black women. — issued 2025-07-10 — PDF (5 pages)