(WASHINGTON, D.C.) — Equal Pay Day marks the date when the average woman’s wage finally catches up to the average men’s wage made in the previous year. On average, women working full-time, year-round still earn only 80 cents for every dollar earned by men. According to the National Women’s Law Center, Maryland women who are employed full-time will lose $398,240 over the course of their careers due to the gender pay gap. 

The pay gap for women of color is even greater in Maryland. For every dollar earned by a white male, African American women earn only 68.9 cents. Hispanic women in Maryland only earn a meager 46.5 cents for every dollar earned by a white male – making Maryland’s gender pay gap for Hispanic women one of the worst in the nation.

“The gender pay gap is startling when you consider the fact that women make up half of the nation’s workforce,” said Raskin. “It is unconscionable that, in 2017, working women across the nation face a 20 percent pay gap. This is pay discrimination against women and their families. We can give most American families a substantial raise simply by paying women fairly.”

“As a Maryland State Senator, I was proud to advocate and vote for the state’s Equal Pay for Equal Work legislation, which passed last year,” Raskin explained. “In Congress, I am proud to cosponsor the Paycheck Fairness Act, which closes loopholes that permit pay discrimination in the workplace. I’m working hard to close the gender pay gap and ensure equality for women and the people who depend on them.” 

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Congressman Jamie Raskin represents Maryland’s 8th Congressional District, which includes Montgomery, Frederick, and Carroll counties. He is the Vice Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, a Senior Democratic Whip, and Freshman Representative to the House Democratic Steering & Policy Committee. He also serves on the House Oversight & Government Reform Committee and the Committee on House Administration.