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Federal Reserve Pick Stephen Moore is a Misogynist in Donald Trump’s Own Image

Statement by NOW President Toni Van Pelt:

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Stephen Moore, Donald Trump’s announced choice for the Federal Reserve Board, called it a “travesty” that women “feel free” to play sports with men.

In a series of columns published in National Review from 2001-2003, Moore wrote that women should not be permitted to referee or announce games, or even sell beer.

“Here’s the rule change I propose,” Moore wrote in March 2002. “No more women refs, no women announcers, no women beer vendors, no women anything.” He went on to say there was “an exception” to this rule if the women are attractive and wear halter tops.

In another column, Moore complained about his wife voting for Democrats, writing, “Women are sooo malleable! No wonder there’s a gender gap.” He also criticized female athletes advocating for pay equality, writing that they wanted “equal pay for inferior work.”

This is the man Donald Trump wants to determine our economic policy. His nomination was already under a cloud due to a contempt of court sanction against him for shorting his ex-wife on more than $300,000 in alimony, child support and the balance of their divorce settlement.

Donald Trump thinks he can populate the U.S. government the way he picks golf partners at Mar-a-Lago. He surrounds himself with sycophants and ideologues who similarly embrace his sexism, misogyny, and anger. Trump’s nominees do not need to be qualified—so long as they praise him, pledge slavish loyalty, and share his attitudes towards women.

NOW ardently rejects this nomination and urges all Americans to tell Donald Trump not to put Stephen Moore in the driver’s seat on economic policy. He’s a danger to us all.

Contact

NOW Press, press@now.org, 202-570-4745

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NOW Applauds the House Passage of the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization, Urges Action in the Senate

Statement by NOW President Toni Van Pelt:

WASHINGTON — The U.S. House of Representatives took vital action today to help victims of sexual assault, domestic and dating violence and stalking by voting to reauthorize the 2019 Violence Against Women Act (VAWA / H.R. 1585). NOW leaders in the states are working with their Senators to ensure that a companion bill is passed by the Senate as soon as possible. This is a critical next step in order to establish important improvements and secure stable funding for VAWA for the next five years.

The proposed reauthorization includes a provision to close a loophole in the original Act that allows convicted domestic abusers of dating partners to have access to firearms. Opposition to this from the National Rifle Association (NRA) is motivating certain members of Congress to OPPOSE or stall the bill. The NRA wants Congress to put the second amendment rights of abusers over the lives of the women and families who might die at their hands.

VAWA 2019 contains many important improvements that will benefit victims of violence around the country including:

  • Housing protections for survivors of sexual assault.
  • A new position at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to address domestic violence.
  • Enhancements to the criminal justice response to sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking.
  • Programs that help survivors gain and maintain economic independence.

VAWA 2019 now moves to the Senate. NOW expects bipartisan support and a vote for passage and nothing less. Constituents in every state will be watching to see which senators are willing to prioritize the health and safety of millions of women, men and their families over the influence of the NRA.

Contact

NOW Press, press@now.org, 202-570-4745

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The Feminist Agenda Is Rising—When Will Women’s Pay?

Statement by NOW President Toni Van Pelt:

WASHINGTON — Today, April 2, is Equal Pay Day—marking the number of extra days into 2019 the average woman has to work to earn as much as men did in 2018. Last year, Equal Pay Day was calculated to occur on April 10—meaning that in 2019, women have improved the score by a mere eight days.

The U.S. economy has a structural flaw when it comes to women’s wages. When averaging data for all races, women take home just 80 cents for every dollar earned by men. White women, non-Hispanic women earn 77 cents as compared to men and the gender pay gap is even worse among most women of color.  According to U.S. Census data:

  • African-American women earn 61 cents for every dollar earned by men, meaning that for them, Equal Pay Day won’t occur until August 22, 2019.
  • For Native American women, the pay gap is 58 cents for every dollar, with equity not reached until September 23, 2019.
  • Latinas earn 53 cents on the dollar, and won’t catch up to men until November 20, 2019.
  • Due to higher educational attainment for Asian Americans, the wage gap is smaller for Asian American women at 85 cents, but they still earn significantly less than men.

Although Congress enacted the Equal Pay Act in 1963, their work is far from finished. We need the federal Paycheck Fairness Act, to remedy its flaws and strengthen protections that ensure women are paid fairly through increased penalties and better reporting for wage discrimination, among other provisions. The bill recently passed the U.S. House of Representatives and we demand that the Senate schedule a vote on this crucially important legislation.

The gender wage gap puts an even greater burden on hard-working women and their families who are already struggling to keep up with monthly bills, health care, child care and an economy that too often leaves them behind. It even has an impact on the pension and social security earnings that women receive in retirement.

 When the Equal Pay Act was passed, full-time working women were paid 59 cents on average for every dollar paid to men. Since then, the wage gap has narrowed by just 21 cents- a rate of less than half a penny a year. At the current pace, gender pay equity won’t be achieved until the year 2058.

Let’s move Equal Pay Day back where it belongs—to December 31. The earnings year should end with the calendar year—and not a day longer. The feminist agenda is rising–and so must women’s pay.

Contact:

NOW Press, press@now.org, 202-570-4745

Florida NOW

Florida NOW’s purpose is to take action through intersectional grassroots activism to promote feminist ideals, lead societal change, eliminate discrimination, and achieve and protect the equal rights of all women and girls.

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