Recognizing the significance of equal pay and the disparity between wages paid to men and women.
- Bill Number
- H.Con.Res. 81
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Labor and Employment
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-03-26: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-02T17:54:38Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 81) recognizes the importance of equal pay and highlights the ongoing wage gap between men and women. It aims to raise awareness about pay disparities and reaffirm Congress's support for closing the gap. As a concurrent resolution, it expresses Congress's view but does not create new laws or require action.
Key Provisions
- Recognition of wage disparity: Acknowledges differences in pay between women and men, including impacts on women, families, and the economy, supported by Census Bureau data (e.g., women earn 81 cents per dollar of men's full-time pay; lower rates for women of color).
- Reaffirmation of commitment: Congress pledges support for equal pay efforts and narrowing the gender wage gap.
- References existing laws like the Equal Pay Act of 1963 (prohibits paying women less for the same work as men) and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (bans pay discrimination based on sex, race, etc.).
- Notes "Equal Pay Days" in 2026 for various groups (e.g., March 26 for all women, specific dates for Latinas, Black women, etc.).
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- None. This is a symbolic statement, not binding legislation, so it does not amend or create enforceable rules.
Potential Impacts
- Government agencies: None directly; may encourage discussions in committees like Education and the Workforce.
- Citizens: Raises public awareness of wage gaps, potentially influencing employer practices or future policies indirectly; highlights economic costs (e.g., $1.18 trillion in lost wages annually).
- International relations: No impact.
- Overall, fosters dialogue on issues like occupational segregation (grouping by gender in jobs), minimum wage concentration among women, union benefits, pay secrecy, family policies, and workplace harassment.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Women workers, especially mothers, women of color (e.g., Latinas at 58 cents/dollar, Black women at 65 cents), LGBTQ+ women, disabled women, and Native women.
- Families: Reduced incomes, higher poverty, less retirement savings, and student debt burdens.
- Employers and businesses: Indirect pressure to address pay transparency and discrimination.
- Unions and advocacy groups: Benefits from recognition of smaller wage gaps in unions.
- Government: Congress members signaling support for equal pay initiatives.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Reinforces existing anti-discrimination laws without new enforcement; notes barriers like pay discussion bans and harassment (87-94% unreported).
- Constitutional: None; aligns with equal protection principles but is non-binding.
- Political: Introduced by over 100 bipartisan co-sponsors (mostly Democrats); observes March 26, 2026, as Equal Pay Day; projects long timelines to close gaps (e.g., 153 years for Latinas), urging action amid growing disparities.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (140)
Rep. DeLauro, Rosa L. [D-CT-3], Rep. Leger Fernandez, Teresa [D-NM-3], Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5], Rep. Amo, Gabe [D-RI-1], Rep. Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3], Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44], Rep. Bell, Wesley [D-MO-1], Rep. Beyer, Donald S. [D-VA-8], Rep. Bishop, Sanford D. [D-GA-2], Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1], Rep. Boyle, Brendan F. [D-PA-2], Rep. Brown, Shontel M. [D-OH-11], Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26], Rep. Budzinski, Nikki [D-IL-13], Rep. Bynum, Janelle S. [D-OR-5], Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24], Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Rep. Castor, Kathy [D-FL-14], Rep. Castro, Joaquin [D-TX-20], Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila [D-FL-20], Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28], Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5], Rep. Correa, J. Luis [D-CA-46], Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-21], Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2], Rep. Crockett, Jasmine [D-TX-30], Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7], Rep. Dean, Madeleine [D-PA-4], Rep. DeGette, Diana [D-CO-1], Rep. DelBene, Suzan K. [D-WA-1], Rep. DeSaulnier, Mark [D-CA-10], Rep. Dexter, Maxine [D-OR-3], Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6], Rep. Doggett, Lloyd [D-TX-37], Rep. Elfreth, Sarah [D-MD-3], Rep. Evans, Dwight [D-PA-3], Rep. Foushee, Valerie P. [D-NC-4], Rep. Friedman, Laura [D-CA-30], Rep. Frost, Maxwell [D-FL-10], Rep. Garcia, Sylvia R. [D-TX-29], Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10], Rep. Gomez, Jimmy [D-CA-34], Rep. Goodlander, Maggie [D-NH-2], Rep. Green, Al [D-TX-9], Rep. Grijalva, Adelita S. [D-AZ-7], Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5], Rep. Hoyer, Steny H. [D-MD-5], Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2], Rep. Ivey, Glenn [D-MD-4], Rep. Jackson, Jonathan L. [D-IL-1] and 90 more
Recent Actions
- 2026-03-26: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- 2026-03-26: Submitted in House
- 2026-03-26: Submitted in House
Bill Versions
- Recognizing the significance of equal pay and the disparity between wages paid to men and women. — issued 2026-03-26 — PDF (6 pages)