GOP blocks pay equity measure in second filibuster of partisan stalemate

The House passed the “Paycheck Fairness Act” in April with only a single Republican vote.

Republicans opposed the bill, calling it unnecessary and that it will hobble businesses and open them up to costly lawsuits.

In a floor speech Monday, McConnell said the bill “would send a windfall to trial lawyers,” and he accused Democrats of “exploiting the cause of pay fairness.”

Meanwhile, Democrats dared the GOP to oppose the bill they said would simply ensure women are not cheated out of pay for work they perform that is equal to male colleagues.

Democrats contend women earn only 82 cents for every dollar earned by a man, although that figure is disputed by those who say the differences are related to varying factors other than gender.

“This bill is very straightforward and closes loopholes that allow pay discrimination to continue,” Sen. Patty Murray, a Washington Democrat, said. “It protects workers from retaliation for discussing their pay. It limits the use of prior wage history in the hiring process so that pay discrimination can’t follow workers from job to job and increases transparency and accountability.”

Republicans blocked the measure from advancing to the floor for consideration, thanks to the 60-vote threshold.

The motion to proceed to the bill failed 49-50.

Republicans said Tuesday they plan to block other Democratic bills planned for June, including a major election and voting rights overhaul bill.

Based on the measures Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is choosing to bring to the floor, which have no GOP support, McConnell said, “It’s pretty clear the era of bipartisanship is over.”

He called the measures “a series of totally partisan bills designed to get no Republican support.”