Amendment Updates the 51-Year-Old Equal Pay Act

WASHINGTON – This afternoon, as part of the fiscal year 2016 budget, the Republican-led United States Senate passed an amendment offered by U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) on a bipartisan vote of 56-43. The amendment includes provisions to prevent retaliation against employees who inquire about, or discuss, their salaries, while also reinforcing current law banning gender discrimination under both the Equal Pay Act and Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.

The amendment offered by Fischer includes provisions to prevent retaliation against employees who inquire about, or discuss, their salaries, while also reinforcing current law banning gender discrimination under both the Equal Pay Act and Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. 

Senator Fischer released the following statement:

“I am pleased that the Senate took significant action to reaffirm our commitment to the principle of equal pay for equal work. Importantly, the Senate also took a step forward supporting needed updates to this important law. My amendment provides a reasonable, fact-based approach that will equip women and men alike with the knowledge and tools they need to fight gender-based wage discrimination.”

This amendment, which is similar to one Fischer offered last year, does not authorize any new federal regulations, nor does it compel employers to disclose salary information – it simply prevents punitive action against employees seeking information.

Click here to view the text of Fischer’s Equal Pay Amendment.