Senate GOP blocks bill to combat gender pay gap
By Jordain Carney - 06/08/21 07:21 PM EDT
Senate Republicans on Tuesday blocked legislation aimed at addressing pay inequality, marking their second successful use of the filibuster under President Biden.
Senators voted 49-50 to try to advance the legislation, falling short of the 60 votes needed to overcome the procedural hurdle.
The bill would limit employers to "bona fide" factors such as education, training or experience when justifying pay differentials in wage discrimination claims.
Employers would also be prohibited from retaliating against workers who compare salaries and barred from inquiring about prospective employees' salary histories during the hiring process.
The bill would further direct the Labor Department to establish a grant program providing negotiation skills and training for girls and women.
"Right now an employer can brush aside reports of pay discrimination by saying things like 'well, he was a better negotiator' or 'they work in different buildings.' I mean, what does that have to do with it?" said Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.).
The bill, which previously passed the House in a 217-210 vote, was widely expected to run into a wall in the Senate.
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https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/557457-senate-gop-blocks-bill-to-combat-gender-pay-gap
