Wonk Room » McCain Does Not Support Equal Pay, And He Has the Record to Prove It

McCain Does Not Support Equal Pay, And He Has the Record to Prove It

By Guest Blogger on Jul 11th, 2008 at 1:36 pm

McCain Does Not Support Equal Pay, And He Has the Record to Prove It

Our guest blogger is Adam Jentleson, the Communications and Outreach Director for the Hyde Park Project at the Center for American Progress Action Fund.

At a town hall today, McCain said his record shows that he is “committed to making sure that there’s equal pay for equal work” for women:

We haven’t done enough. We have not done enough. And I’m committed to making sure that there’s equal pay for equal work. That there is equal opportunity in every aspect of our society. And that is my record and you can count on it.

Watch It:

Nothing could be further from the truth: McCain has consistently opposed efforts to guarantee women equal pay for equal work – and he has the record to prove it.

In April, McCain opposed a major Senate bill seeking equal pay for women. He told an audience in Kentucky that the real issue is disparities in education and training among women and men.

In 2000, McCain opposed an amendment that aimed to “provide more effective remedies to victims of discrimination in the payment of wages on the basis of sex.”

In 1985, McCain voted against a study to investigate pay differences among federal employees, and determine whether they were the result of discrimination. [1985 CQ Almanac; HR 3008, vote # 318, 10/9/85]

In fact, McCain’s record proves that for decades, he has opposed efforts to make sure that women receive equal pay for equal work.

Comments
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One Response to “McCain Does Not Support Equal Pay, And He Has the Record to Prove It”

steppa Says:

As I get older (a ripe 38 now) I have become increasingly sensitive to the sound-bite method of arguing that permiates our current political climate. Equal pay is one of those issues that lends itself to this simplistic and lazy form of arguing regardless of which side you’re on.

For instance, if I say, “if a man and a woman in Chicago both drive a delivery van for a living, shouldn’t they get paid the same salary by the company?” Well, of course, is the usual response.

However, just in something as basic as a delivery driver’s job, there are many complex issues at work that may affect the rate of pay. I have worked for, and know people currently working for, delivery companies (including the big ones) that will not assign a female driver to a high-crime area. In more than one case, I’ve seen it in policy form.

The answering question to the “well, of course” response would be, “should women be assigned to deliver in high crime areas”, followed closely with, “should a driver, regardless of gender, get paid more for routinely delivering in a high crime area”.

None of the above example lends itself to a simple, “equal pay” stance, for or against.

And don’t get me started on value-based pay…
July 11th, 2008 at 1:53 pm