Phil English's Voting Record on Women's Issues
new! Voted Against Equal Pay Legislation
In 2007, English voted against a bill which seeks to ensure that victims of pay discrimination have a fair chance to seek justice. The legislation would allow employers to be sued for wage discrimination every time they issue a paycheck, regardless of how long ago the alleged discrimination occurred. The bill would also allow for wronged employees to be paid up to two years' worth of back wages.
Supporters of the measure say it simply would restore the intent of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which dictates that equal work deserves equal pay. Congressional Quarterly
The bill was passed 225-199. HR 2831, Vote #768, 7/31/07
new! Opposed Bill to Prevent Wage Discrimination
In 2007, English voted against a bill to protect the victims of wage discrimination.
The bill amended the 1964 Civil Rights Act to allow employees to file charges of pay discrimination within 180 days of the last received paycheck affected by the alleged discriminatory decision.
It also clarified that an employee is entitled to up to two years of back-pay if it is determined that discrimination occurred. Congressional Quarterly
The legislation was introduced in response to a May 29, 2007 Supreme Court ruling, Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co., a 5-4 ruling decried by civil rights activists.
According to the ruling, workers filing suit for wage discrimination must do so within 180 days of the actual decision to discriminate against them. That blocked efforts to win redress for discrimination that unfolded in small steps over a period of years. CQ Today, 7/31/07
The bill passed 225-199. HR 2831, Vote #768, 7/31/07
new! Opposed Amendment Protecting Vocational Education Programs for Women
In July 1997, English voted against an amendment to a bill extending the authorizing for federal vocational education funding (HR 1853), that would preserve a provision in existing law requiring states to spend at least 10.5 percent of their funds on programs for displaced homemakers, single parents, and single pregnant women, and on programs to promote gender equity and non- traditional training for girls and women.
The amendment would also retain the requirement that each state have a vocational education sex equity coordinator to help assure that the needs of girls and women are being served in vocational education programs.
The amendment failed 207-214. HR 1853, Mink amendment, Vote #286, 7/22/97
new! Opposed Vocational Training for Women
In 1997, English voted against a motion calling for a requirement that states and localities to spend a minimum of 10.5 percent of federal vocational education funds on programs that promote gender equity and assist displaced homemakers, single parents and single pregnant women.
The motion was defeated 207-220. HR 1853, Vote #288, 7/22/97
English voted against a similar amendment earlier the same day.
The amendment was defeated 207-214. HR 1853, Vote #286, 7/22/97
new! Opposed Protections for Breast Cancer Patients
In 2004, English voted against a motion that would have required the Association Health Plan legislation to prohibit plans that allow reductions in breast cancer coverage.
The motion was defeated 196-218. HR 4281, Vote #173, 5/13/04
new! Supported Budget Package That Cut Child Support Enforcement by $5 Billion
In 2005, English voted in favor of final passage of a $49.9 billion budget cut package pushed by House conservatives under the guise of offsetting the costs associated with Hurricane Katrina. Some of the "savings" in the bill were found by cutting $4.9 billion from child support enforcement efforts.
The cut would reduce the help families received to establish legal child support orders and enforce orders to make sure the child support owed actually was paid. The cut to child support enforcement would result in custodial parents receiving $7.1 billion less child support over five years. House Budget Committee Democrats, "Summary of House and Senate Reconciliation Bills," 11/22/05
The bill passed 217-215. HR4241, Vote #601, 11/18/05