A Democratic bill with 13 Democratic cosponsors · See all 13 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is known as the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act. It sets up the National Equal Pay Enforcement Task Force. The task force includes representatives from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Department of Justice, the Department of Labor, and the Office of Personnel Management. Its main mission is to improve compliance, public education, and enforcement of equal pay laws. The task force will make sure these agencies coordinate their efforts and limit any gaps in enforcement. Finally, the task force must investigate pay inequity challenges, advance recommendations, and create action plans.
Yes· 3 of 15
- Scored +8
Would women be better off under this?
This bill directly addresses the gender pay gap through enhanced enforcement and investigation.
- Scored +7
Does this narrow the gap between how men and women are treated?
By enforcing equal pay laws, the bill directly promotes gender equality in the workforce.
- Scored +5
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
Improved enforcement of equal pay laws helps boost income for lower-earning demographics.
The opposite
- Scored -2
Would business owners be better off under this?
Increased enforcement and compliance requirements may create administrative burdens for employers.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Section 2(a) and Section 2(b): Establishing the National Equal Pay Enforcement Task Force brings together multiple federal agencies, including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Department of Justice, the Department of Labor, and the Office of Personnel Management, to coordinate efforts and improve public education, compliance, and enforcement of equal pay laws. This is positive because it aims to limit gaps in how equal pay laws are enforced.
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Section 2(c): The task force is required to investigate challenges related to pay inequity, advance recommendations to address those challenges, and create action plans to implement the recommendations. This is a positive step to hold officials accountable for tackling unfair pay.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Based on the provided text, there are no specific sections or provisions identified that create negative consequences or burdens for individuals or groups of people in the United States.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would women be better off under this? — This bill directly addresses the gender pay gap through enhanced enforcement and investigation. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — The task force aims to address systemic pay inequities that frequently affect minority communities. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Improved enforcement of equal pay laws helps boost income for lower-earning demographics. Would Asian Americans be better off under this? — Equal pay enforcement helps mitigate wage gaps affecting diverse demographics. Would LGBTQ people be better off under this? — Improved pay equity enforcement can benefit LGBTQ workers facing discrimination. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The task force's mission to address inequity benefits all marginalized ethnic groups. Would immigrants be better off under this? — Pay equity enforcement can provide protections for immigrant workers in the labor market. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — Wage equity measures help ensure fair compensation for all able workers. Would union members be better off under this? — Strengthened enforcement of wage laws aligns with interests of organized labor. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Closing pay gaps can lead to better overall wage stability for the middle class. Would business owners be better off under this? — Increased enforcement and compliance requirements may create administrative burdens for employers.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow the gap between how men and women are treated? — By enforcing equal pay laws, the bill directly promotes gender equality in the workforce. Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The task force aims to address pay inequity which disproportionately affects minority groups. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Addressing wage gaps can help reduce poverty levels by increasing earnings for underpaid groups.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill expands federal oversight and coordination across multiple agencies regarding pay equity. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The task force aims to improve compliance and public education regarding pay laws.
- 9/28/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/2/2026
- Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 12 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
3 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Suzanne BonamiciDemocrat · Oregon
Donald BeyerDemocrat · Virginia
Shontel BrownDemocrat · Ohio
André CarsonDemocrat · Indiana
Judy ChuDemocrat · California
Suzan DelBeneDemocrat · Washington
Henry JohnsonDemocrat · Georgia
James McGovernDemocrat · Massachusetts
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Ilhan OmarDemocrat · Minnesota
Janice SchakowskyDemocrat · Illinois
Eugene VindmanDemocrat · Virginia
Frederica WilsonDemocrat · Florida