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WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-12) and Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney (NY-12), Chairwoman of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, issued the following statements after the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released its preliminary analysis of women’s representation in the workforce and the status of the gender pay gap between 2018 to 2021: 

“This report demonstrates what we have long known — despite playing a critical role in the workforce, women are still not paid equally for equal work, and the disparity is especially significant for most women of color,” said Rep. Dingell.  “When women succeed, our country succeeds.  It’s been nearly 60 years since the Equal Pay Act became law, it’s past time for our workplace policies to catch up and pay women what they deserve.”

“Each year, we are reminded of the ongoing gender pay gaps between working men and women in this country.  GAO’s interim report confirms what I have known since I began my time in Congress: women are paid less than men despite performing comparable work throughout their careers,” said Chairwoman Maloney.  “The pay gap for women of color is much larger, with some groups having to work almost two full years to be paid what the average white man was paid in one.  I look forward to the comprehensive study that GAO will continue to pursue into next year, but the data we have today should spark meaningful action to finally address gender pay inequity.”

GAO’s interim report which used American Community Survey data from the U.S. Census Bureau, found that women were consistently represented in the overall workforce between 2018 and 2021.  However, during this same period, the gender pay gap remained essentially unchanged, with the average woman being paid 82 cents for every dollar paid to a man. 

The report also found that in 2021, for every dollar paid to white men:

• Hispanic or Latina women were paid an estimated 58 cents;
• American Indian or Alaska Native women were paid an estimated 58 cents;
• Black or African American women were paid an estimated 63 cents;
• Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander women were paid an estimated 66 cents;
• White women were paid an estimated 79 cents; and
• Asian women were paid an estimated 97 cents.

Although the percentage of management positions held by women has increased slightly since 2018, women remain underrepresented in these roles as compared to their participation in the overall workforce.  GAO also found larger pay gaps between men and women in management as compared to the pay gap between men and women in the overall workforce, with women in management being paid 77 cents for every dollar paid to a male manager.  Gender pay gaps also vary by education level, and women with less education are paid less than 82 cents for every dollar paid to men with similar education levels.

Background

On March 15, 2022, GAO issued an update to previous studies from 2001 and 2010 requested by Chairwoman Maloney and the late Rep. John D. Dingell, focusing on women’s representation in management positions across an array of industries and the status of the pay gap between men and women managers using 2019 data. 

On June 4, 2021, Chairwoman Maloney requested that GAO update its analysis of the gender pay gap in the United States, workplace inequities for women, and steps the federal government can take to better track these disparities.  GAO accepted the request and plans to release a full report next year.

On March 24, 2021, the Committee held a hearing featuring testimony from U.S. Women’s National Team player Megan Rapinoe, to examine the roots and impacts of the gender pay gap on women and families, and particularly how pay inequity disproportionately burdens women of color.