President Barack Obama gave his annual State of the Union address last night. For the most part Obama’s address was uninspiring and boring. Even Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg had trouble keeping her head up and her eyes open as Obama droned on about his accomplishments as president.
Obama, who signed an executive order for equal pay for women in 2014, called on Congress to support equal pay for women across the board.
“Of course, nothing helps families make ends meet like higher wages. That’s why this Congress still needs to pass a law that makes sure a woman is paid the same as a man for doing the same work,” Obama said on Tuesday. “Really. It’s 2015. It’s time.”
But while women stood and applauded Obama’s stance on equal pay and raising minimum wages, many Republicans remained seated. Republicans believe there is still much work to be done if women are to be paid equally as men for the same work.
For instance, the courts should abolish child support and alimony if women get equal pay. It’s only fair.
President Obama’s top advisor Valerie Jarrett was criticized after the speech for not ensuring equal pay for women in the White House.
Jarrett was grilled by possible presidential candidate Carly Fiorina on MSNBC’s Morning Joe on Wednesday.
“Good morning, Valerie,” Fiorina said, “I think, certainly, every woman on this panel and every woman across the nation agrees that equal pay for equal work is absolutely required.
“[But] I am struck by the fact the president hasn’t really led in this regard. He’s not paying women equally by his own measures in his own White House.“*
As The Washington Post reported in July, men on the White House payroll get paid 13 percent more than women.
*(bold emphasis mine)
