DNC Chair’s Statement on Romney Campaign’s Failure to Take a Position on Equal Pay for Women

DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz released the following statement on the Mitt Romney campaign’s failure during a press call today to take a position on whether or not Mitt Romney supports the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which calls for equal pay for equal work for women:

    “Today’s radio silence by Mitt Romney’s campaign aides when asked if their boss supports equal pay for equal work for women in this country is utterly shocking.  The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which goes to the heart of the equal pay issue by giving women the power to challenge discrimination where they work, was the very first bill that President Obama signed into law.  And that was no coincidence – for the President, equal pay for equal work has always been a no-brainer.  But this isn’t just about women.  President Obama knows that equal pay for equal work is at the heart of economic security for millions of working families.  It’s about growing the economy by growing the middle class, and giving all Americans a fair shot and a fair opportunity to succeed.

    “Meanwhile, the Romney campaign can’t even confidently articulate Mitt Romney’s position on supporting basic fairness for women in this country.  On a question that shouldn’t even require a millisecond of hesitation, Romney’s aides responded with a deafening six-second silence followed by, ‘We’ll get back to you on that.’  Mitt Romney’s spokesperson later tried to pivot by saying Romney isn’t interested in changing current law – but that’s not the question.  What voters deserve to know is this: if a bill to repeal the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act were in front of a President Romney, would he veto it or sign it?  Or, had he been President in 2009, would he have signed it?  Based on Mitt Romney’s continued attacks on women’s health and his extreme positions on so many other issues affecting women and their families, women voters have every reason to be skeptical.  And the Romney campaign’s appalling fumble on this fundamental question makes the critical choice facing voters in this election all the more clear.”