Recognizing the significance of equal pay and the pay disparity between disabled women and both disabled and nondisabled men.

Bill Number

H.Res. 829

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-10-24: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Last Updated

2025-12-06T14:26:13Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

This House Resolution (H. Res. 829) aims to acknowledge the ongoing wage disparities faced by disabled women compared to both disabled men and nondisabled men. It highlights data on these gaps and reaffirms Congress's support for equal pay efforts, while calling attention to systemic barriers that exacerbate inequalities for disabled women.

Key Provisions

• Recognition of Wage Gaps: The resolution cites 2023 U.S. Census Bureau data showing disabled women earn an average of 56 cents for every dollar paid to nondisabled men overall, and 68 cents among full-time, year-round workers. It breaks down disparities by race and ethnicity, such as:
• Disabled Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander women: 71 cents per dollar paid to White, non-Hispanic nondisabled men.
• Disabled White, non-Hispanic women: 64 cents.
• Disabled Black women: 60 cents.
• Disabled American Indian/Alaska Native women: 54 cents.
• Disabled Latinas: 57 cents.
• Comparisons Within Disabled Workers: Disabled women earn 81 cents (full-time) or 78 cents (all workers) per dollar paid to disabled men.
• Disability Types and Specific Groups: All six disability types assessed in the American Community Survey show wage gaps for disabled women versus nondisabled men, with the largest gap (36 cents) for those with difficulty living independently. Disabled women veterans earn 62 cents per dollar paid to nondisabled veteran men.
• Education and Occupation Factors: Even with a four-year college degree, disabled women full-time workers earn about $55,000 annually, less than nondisabled men with some college but no degree. Disabled women are overrepresented in low-paying jobs like health care, clerical, and social services.
• Institutional and Segregated Work: In institutional settings, disabled women earn an average of $9,000 yearly, compared to $11,000 for disabled men and $50,000 for nondisabled men overall.
• Systemic Barriers: Lists challenges including discrimination, work disincentives from public benefits, flawed health care systems, higher employment costs, poor vocational rehabilitation, lack of supported employment, and additional hurdles for LGBTQI+ disabled people (noting data gaps, especially for trans and nonbinary individuals).
• Resolved Actions: The House recognizes the disparity's impact on women, families, and the U.S., and recommits to equal pay, closing gender, disability, and racial wage gaps, and tackling inequities.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This is a non-binding resolution, so it introduces no changes to existing laws. It references the Equal Pay Act of 1963 (a law requiring equal pay for equal work regardless of sex) but does not amend it or create new enforceable rules.

Potential Impacts

• On Citizens: Raises public awareness of intersectional wage inequalities (e.g., gender, disability, race), potentially encouraging advocacy, better employment practices, and policy reforms to improve economic opportunities for disabled women and their families.
• On Government Agencies: May prompt agencies like the Census Bureau, Department of Labor, or Department of Veterans Affairs to improve data collection (e.g., on LGBTQI+ disabled workers) and address barriers in programs like vocational rehabilitation.
• On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though it aligns with U.S. commitments to global standards on disability rights and gender equality, such as those in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
• Overall, it fosters dialogue but lacks direct enforcement, so impacts depend on future legislative or executive actions.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Disabled Women: Primary beneficiaries, especially women of color, veterans, those in low-wage sectors, and LGBTQI+ individuals, who face compounded disparities.
• Disabled Men and Nondisabled Workers: Indirectly affected through broader calls for equitable workplaces.
• Employers and Businesses: Encouraged to reduce occupational segregation and subminimum wages (below standard minimum wage, often allowed for some disabled workers under Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act).
• Government and Advocacy Groups: Agencies handling labor, disability services, and benefits; organizations supporting women's rights, disability rights, and racial equity.
• Families and Communities: Impacted by the economic effects of wage gaps on household stability.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Reinforces existing frameworks like the Equal Pay Act and Americans with Disabilities Act (which prohibits disability-based discrimination) without creating new obligations. Highlights issues like subminimum wages, potentially pressuring reviews of exemptions.
• Constitutional: Aligns with Equal Protection Clause principles under the 14th Amendment by addressing discrimination intersections, but as a resolution, it has no binding force.
• Political: Signals bipartisan or cross-party attention to equity issues in the 119th Congress (introduced October 24, 2025, by Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick and cosponsors). Could influence future bills on wage equity, disability employment, or data improvements, especially amid ongoing debates on labor rights and social welfare. Its focus on data-driven disparities may spur nonpartisan research and policy tweaks.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila [D-FL-20]

Cosponsors (5)

Rep. Pressley, Ayanna [D-MA-7], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12], Rep. Stansbury, Melanie A. [D-NM-1], Rep. Adams, Alma S. [D-NC-12]

Recent Actions

• 2025-10-24: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
• 2025-10-24: Submitted in House
• 2025-10-24: Submitted in House

Bill Versions

• Recognizing the significance of equal pay and the pay disparity between disabled women and both disabled and nondisabled men. — issued 2025-10-24 — PDF (4 pages)