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It is simply unacceptable that 45 years after President Kennedy signed the Equal Pay Act in 1963 that gender-based wage discrimination continues to plague women in the workforce. A woman’s paycheck should be based on performance and merit, not as a result of an employer’s prejudice. This important new legislation will close the loopholes that have allowed some employers to avoid responsibility for discriminatory pay over the years, and builds on Congress’ commitment to ensuring that all Americans are paid equally and fairly for the work that they do.
Reforming higher education has been one of my highest priorities as an elected official, both as a Member of Congress and as a Tennessee state senator. Last year, Congress enacted into law a $20 billion increase in college financial aid over the next five years, the largest increase in student aid since the G.I. Bill of 1944.
Congressman Cohen issued the following statement after the passage of the bill:
Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) issued the following statement regarding the minimum wage increase:
On Thursday, the second phase of the minimum wage increase went into effect, raising hourly pay for millions of American workers from $5.85 to $6.55. This will put another $28 a week into thousands of workers’ pockets in the 9th District to help them cope with the high price of gas and groceries. This is the direct result of legislation enacted by the Democratic-led Congress in May 2007 which will raise the minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.25 an hour over a two-year period.
“Alcoholism is an enormous problem in this country, with wide-ranging effects and consequences for alcoholics and their families,” said Congressman Cohen. “I strongly believe that with better scientific and biological knowledge of this disease, we will be able to treat recovering alcoholics more effectively and with better results. I applaud HHS for awarding these monies to Dr. Williams and the UT Health Science Center for this important research.”
“This is the second grant that has been awarded to Dr. Ware this year for his work on sickle cell disease, and I am grateful to HHS for their continued support of the important research being undertaken by scientists in the 9th District like him” said Congressman Cohen. The new grant will be used for a study into hydroxyurea, a drug used to reduce the rate of painful attacks in sickle-cell disease patients.
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Marilyn Dillihay, Press Secretary, 202-225-3265
Charlie Gerber, Communications Assistant, 202-225-3265