Deborah Ross

Ms. ROSS

Ms. ROSS. Mr. Speaker, this bill is not just about the past, it is about the future. Gender-based wage discrimination exists in every State and in many industries. In the tech industry, which has a huge presence in my district in North Carolina's Research Triangle, women typically make thousands of dollars less than men in the same roles. Unsurprisingly, women in tech often leave the industry due to unfair compensation, much to that industry's detriment. Pay inequity also follows women into retirement. Women have, on average, only 70 percent of the retirement income men have. One of the best ways we can help close the wage gap is through salary negotiation training, which is one of the key provisions of this bill. I am thankful to groups like Ladies Get Paid and countless others working to empower women to help them advocate for their work. I urge my colleagues to support this bill for the sake of future generations. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record this letter from the National Council of Jewish Women. National Council of Jewish Women, Washington, DC, April 14, 2021. House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Representative: On behalf of our 180,000 members, advocates, and supporters, National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) urges you to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act (H.R. 7) without amendments that limit its scope or undermine its critical protections. NCJW is a grassroots organization of volunteers and advocates who turn progressive ideals into action. Inspired by Jewish values, NCJW strives for social justice by improving the quality of life for women, children, and families and by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms. The Torah compels us tzedek, tzedek tirdof--to pursue justice. To that end, we advocate for employment laws, policies, and practices that provide equal pay and benefits for work of comparable worth and equal opportunities for advancement. Nearly 60 years after passage of the landmark Equal Pay Act, the gender way gap persists. Overall, women earn only 82 cents for every dollar earned by men, and the gap is much wider for women of color (Black women earn 63 cents, Indigenous women earn 60 cents, Latinas earn 55 cents, and some Asian American and Pacific Islander women earn only 52 cents). Earnings lost to these gaps are exacerbating the financial effects of COVID-19, falling particularly heavily on women of color and the families who depend on their income. The Paycheck Fairness Act, which has been passed three previous times by the House of Representatives, mostly recently in the 116th Congress, offers a much needed update to the Equal Pay Act of 1963 by providing new tools to battle pervasive pay gaps and to challenge discrimination. We cannot build back an economy that works for everyone without ensuring that all women can work with equality, safety, and dignity, starting with pay equity. Passing the Paycheck Fairness Act would mark a vitally important step toward ensuring this becomes reality. I ask you to vote YES on the Paycheck Fairness Act (H.R. 7) without amendments that limit its scope or undermine its critical protections. Sincerely, Jody Rabhan, Chief Policy Officer, National Council of Jewish Women.

Ms. ROSS

Ms. ROSS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to say how honored I am to be able to file two amendments to the critical reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act. My first amendment aims to protect the safety and privacy of survivors by creating a statutory mandate that a victim's safety should be central to housing decisions made by covered housing providers. This amendment will ensure that housing providers do not evict survivors, keep their information confidential, and prioritize their safety when considering admissions, assistance, transfers, and more. My second amendment is a direct response to an issue in my home State of North Carolina. Sexual assault nurse examiners, or SANE nurses, play a critical role in providing medical care to sexual assault survivors and collecting evidence for criminal prosecution. Unfortunately, in North Carolina, SANE nurses can be difficult to locate, and some survivors travel to multiple hospitals and have to wait hours to see a SANE nurse. My amendment allows certain grants in the bill to be used to create databases.

Ms. ROSS

Ms. ROSS. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Lawrence for her leadership and for organizing this Special Order hour on this incredible night in this incredible month of Women's History Month. I also want to point out that all three women from the North Carolina delegation participated, and that is true sisterhood. I rise today to highlight an extraordinary North Carolinian in honor of Women's History Month, Reverend Nancy Petty. Nancy is a trailblazer in the community. As a member of the LGBTQ community and the faith community, she has championed marriage equality and brought these welcoming ideas to her own church, Raleigh's historic and progressive Pullen Memorial Baptist Church. I worshipped virtually with Pullen just last Sunday. A kind and compassionate person, Nancy often preaches inclusivity and understanding. She has focused on facilitating interfaith dialogue with Raleigh's Muslim community and has partnered with the Jewish community on social justice advocacy. She truly represents the best of our community, and I am honored to call her a friend and a neighbor. She has inspired a generation by her example to treat others the way you would want to be treated. I am so pleased to recognize Reverend Petty for this Women's History Month and the example she sets for us all.

Ms. ROSS

Ms. ROSS. Madam Speaker, the American Rescue Plan will finally deliver needed aid to individuals, families, workers, businesses, and healthcare systems. I am proud that this Congress has taken such swift action to get this important work done. I want to highlight one part of the bill that would be life-changing for hundreds of thousands of people in my State. Sadly, North Carolina is one of only 12 States that has not expanded Medicaid under the ACA. This failure has left over 600,000 low-income North Carolinians without healthcare. The American Rescue Plan provides an added incentive for States like mine to expand Medicaid. The bill offers a 5-point increase in the Federal funding match for Medicaid for 2 years to States that choose to expand the program during this pandemic. This would bring North Carolina more than $2 billion in Federal healthcare coverage for our most vulnerable people and help our hardest-hit hospitals. Madam Speaker, our State desperately needs the relief provided in this bill.

Ms. ROSS

Ms. ROSS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the Article of Impeachment. The President's responsibility for the violence and insurrection that occurred last Wednesday cannot go unanswered. The President has had multiple opportunities to modify his behavior to bring this country together. Instead, he uses his power to further divide us. He is unrepentant. Congress must act for the good of this country.