McCain Holds Women Back
Equal Pay
McCain opposed the Fair Pay Restoration Act and suggested that “the reason women don’t have equal pay isn’t discrimination on the job – it’s because they need more education and training.” Lilly Ledbetter’s problem was not that she was unqualified for a better-paying position. All accounts say she was an excellent employee. She was simply being paid less than men doing the exact same work.
Minimum Wage
McCain voted against a higher minimum wage at least seven times and as recently as last year. If he had his way, the minimum wage would still be only $5.15, unchanged for more than a decade and even lower after inflation than it was before its last increase. And while the minimum wage will increase to $7.25 by 2009, it will still remain well below its historic benchmark of half the median wage.
Work and Family
Antiquated workplace laws fail to recognize the needs of working parents with accommodations like paid maternity and paternity leave, flexible work schedules, and affordable child care. The United States fails to fund the minimum of six weeks of maternal leave recommended by doctors for both mothers and newborn children. McCain has failed to outline any steps to address this problem. He has not put forth any proposals to expand paid family leave, sick leave, child care, or flexible work schedules. He opposes funding to help states create universal pre-kindergarten programs.
