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[Pages S4775-S4776]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
By Mrs. FEINSTEIN (for herself and Mrs. Murray):
S. 2083. A bill to amend chapter 2205 of title 36, United States
Code, to ensure pay equity for amateur athletes, and for other
purposes; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the
Athletics Fair Pay Act of 2019 with my colleague Senator Murray.
Women and girls have made great strides in sports. Before Title IX of
the Civil Rights Act was passed 47 years ago, athletic programs for
girls and young women were virtually nonexistent. Now, women are world
class athletes and compete in a wide range of sports including soccer,
basketball, hockey, and tennis.
In the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, a record 45 percent of
the athletes competing at the games were women, and this year, the U.S.
Women's National Soccer Team won a historic fourth FIFA Women's World
Cup title. Despite the incredible advancements made by women in sports,
female athletes are paid significantly less than their male
counterparts and are given fewer opportunities to succeed.
Sports organizations in the United States still do not invest equally
in girls' and women's athletics. This lack of investment means that
many female athletes never reach their full potential. In addition,
studies show that sports participation has a positive influence on
girls' academic performance, employment opportunities, and their
physical and mental health.
The inequities faced by female athletes were highlighted in a wage
discrimination lawsuit recently filed by the U.S. Women's Soccer Team
against their employer, the U.S. Soccer Federation.
In addition to winning four FIFA Women's World Cup titles, the
Women's Soccer Team has won four Olympic gold medals and has been
ranked number one by FIFA for 10 of the last 11 years. By contrast, the
U.S. Men's Soccer Team failed to qualify for last year's World Cup and
has not won an Olympic medal since 1904. Yet, according to the lawsuit
filed by the Women's Team, the U.S. Soccer Federation pays the women an
average of 38 cents on the dollar compared to the male players.
Unfortunately, the Women's Soccer Team is not alone. In 2017, the
U.S. Women's Hockey Team received a pay raise from its national
governing body, USA Hockey, only after the team threatened to boycott a
major competition.
Prior to the boycott, USA Hockey did not pay female athletes at all
in non-Olympic years and paid each just $6,000 in the year leading up
to an Olympic games.
It is clear that we must do more to ensure that female athletes are
paid equally and treated with the respect and dignity they deserve.
This legislation gets us closer to that goal.
This legislation updates the Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports
Act to mandate that the national governing bodies chartered under the
Ted
[[Page S4776]]
Stevens Act pay female amateur athletes fairly and equally.
This bill also requires national governing bodies to provide annual
reports to Congress on amateur athlete pay. This new reporting
requirement increases accountability and allows Congress to monitor
whether the national governing bodies are complying with their equal
pay obligations.
I am deeply disappointed that we still need this kind of legislation
in 2019. I am hopeful that the Senate will take up, and pass, this
important legislation and show its support for women around the
country. As a United States Senator, I will continue fighting for fair
pay and equality of treatment for all women, including our nation's
athletes.
I thank the president, and I yield the floor.
____________________