Sen. Lucas and Jody Wagner Urge Allen to Drop Dismal Record, Support Paycheck Fairness

5/24/2012

Sen. Lucas and Jody Wagner Urge Allen to Drop Dismal Record, Support Paycheck Fairness

Today, State Senator Louise Lucas and former Virginia Secretary of Finance Jody Wagner held a press call to discuss the Paycheck Fairness Act, legislation in the U.S. Senate that advance the fundamental principle of equal pay for equal work regardless of gender. They also called on former Senator George Allen to turn away from his long record of opposing workplace equality by publicly endorsing the bill. 


"At a time when Virginia women earn 79 cents of every dollar men earn for doing the same job, few things should be easier than standing up and fighting to ensure that equal work should pay equally without respect to gender, race, or any other consideration," said Wagner. "As Republicans contemplate filibustering this critical legislation once again, Virginians need a Senator with a record of fighting for equality for women. Tim Kaine has that record, but his most likely opponent George Allen spent his career ducking or actively opposing efforts to level the playing field for women in the workplace." 


"George Allen's refusal to support the Paycheck Fairness Act shouldn't come as a surprise," continued Lucas. "As a Senator, he opposed overwhelmingly bipartisan legislation that would provide women with recourse to fight wage discrimination, and even voted against the Family Medical Leave Act that made sure no parent had to choose between taking care of a sick kid and keeping their job.  


"Throughout his career and this campaign Allen has given Virginians every indication that if reelected he will head back to Washington and continue to turn his back on Virginia women who need a Senator to fight for them." 

Both Wagner and Lucas congratulated Governor Tim Kaine for his record of support for women's rights both in and out of office. They warned voters against choosing a candidate who has long demonstrated a clear opposition to gender equality. "The stakes are just too high for Virginia families to rehire a former Senator like George Allen," Senator Lucas said.
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