Washington, DC--Congressman Eliot Engel (D-NY-17) issued the following statement to honor the 90^th anniversary of women gaining the right to vote in August 1920.

“Ninety years ago this week, the 19^th Amendment to the Constitution was ratified giving women the right to vote.  The suffragettes marched, battled and sacrificed their way for decades to achieve the equality they deserved.  Now we live in a country where women serve as Speaker of the House, Secretary of State and five other Cabinet posts, and one-third of the Supreme Court. 

“The work on behalf of women continues to this day.  In this Congress, we passed legislation – such as the Lilly Ledbetter Act and health insurance reform – allowing women fair treatment at work, as well as a healthier life.  We still await Senate action on the Paycheck Fairness Act – of which I am an original co-sponsor - to right the wrong committed daily against women, who earn 77 cents for every dollar made by men in comparable jobs.  We also await important action on House-passed jobs legislation in order to get Americans back to work.

“While Republicans opposed the Ledbetter Act, health insurance reform and the Paycheck Fairness Act, I plan to continue working to advance the cause of equality for all Americans, regardless of gender, race, or any other reason.”

###