SCONRES 16119th CongressIn Committee

A concurrent resolution recognizing the significance of equal pay and the disparity in wages paid to men and to Black women.

Introduced: Jul 10, 2025

Sponsor: Sen. Blunt Rochester, Lisa [D-DE] (D-Delaware)

Civil Rights & JusticeLabor & Employment

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

This is a concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 16) introduced in the 119th Congress that publicly recognizes and condemns the persistent wage gap affecting Black women. It notes that July 10, 2025, is Black Women’s Equal Pay Day, highlighting the gap between Black women’s earnings and those of White, non-Hispanic men. The resolution cites existing federal anti-discrimination laws (the Equal Pay Act and Title VII) and presents data showing Black women are paid a fraction of what White, non-Hispanic men earn. It emphasizes the broader economic and family consequences of this gap and calls for continued commitment to equal pay for equal work and to narrowing the wage gap. Importantly, the resolution is symbolic: it states the position and intent of Congress but does not create new laws or spending and does not by itself change pay practices.

Key Points

1Recognizes Black Women’s Equal Pay Day as a day observing the wage gap between Black women and White, non-Hispanic men, and highlights the gap as a national issue.
2Affirms existing federal protections against pay discrimination (the Equal Pay Act of 1963 and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964) and notes that Black women continue to experience a substantial pay gap.
3Presents specific wage-gap data: Black women working full time, year round earn about 66 cents for every dollar earned by White, non-Hispanic men; including part-time/part-year work reduces the figure to about 64 cents.
4Outlines potential life and economic impacts of eliminating the gap, including substantial gains in education, healthcare, housing, childcare, and overall family well-being; emphasizes that closing the gap would benefit individuals, families, and the broader economy.
5Highlights contributing factors such as dual discrimination (racial and gender bias), workplace harassment, and pay secrecy that can conceal pay discrimination and hinder remedies; underscores the need for comprehensive strategies (including family-friendly policies and stronger transparency) to achieve pay equity.
6States Congress’s intent to recognize the disparity and reaffirm support for equal pay for equal work and for narrowing the gender wage gap.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected:- Black women workers and their families, who experience lower earnings and longer-term economic consequences due to the wage gap.Secondary group/area affected:- Employers and workplaces (through responsible pay practices and potential policy changes aimed at transparency and fairness); policymakers and advocacy groups focused on wage equity and anti-discrimination.Additional impacts:- The broader economy and society benefit when wage gaps are narrowed (increased consumer purchasing power, reduced poverty, better financial security for families).- The resolution may influence discussions on related policies such as paid leave, affordable childcare, wage transparency, and harassment prevention, even though it does not itself enact new policy or funding.

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