Senate

As Democrats push Paycheck Fairness Act, Republicans decline

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President Obama issued an executive order to prevent federal contractors from taking action against employees who discuss their salaries.  The President also used his weekly address to underscore the need for equal pay between men and women in the same professions.

In the Senate, Democrats voted on the Paycheck Fairness Act, which was defeated by the Republicans. Senate hopeful Terry Lynn Land (R) stated that she opposed the bill “that would require that businesses have to post the pay of each individual so it was public”. The problem is that the bill contains no language about posting salaries. Women, however, would be able to ask employers for salary information about male workers.

Late night comedians Jimmy Fallon (Tonight Show) and Cecily Strong (Saturday Night Live) took turns poking fun at the Republicans.

Senate budget to be voted on. Reconciliation looms.

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Democrats in the US Senate have put forward a budget. The proposal, which contrast to one submitted by the House Republicans, was brought by Senate Budget Committee Chairman Patty Murray, D-Wash. The plan calls for a 2% cut in spending over 10 years and new revenue of $975 billion over 10 years from, closing loopholes and cutting unfair spending in the tax code for those who need it the least”.

Although each plan is expected to pass along party lines some time next week, the path to reconciling the two budget plans remains unclear. For instance, the Republican plan calls for a repeal of the 2010 health care law, something that the Senate and the President are unlikely to support.

The positive aspect of this week is that there are now two (polarized) budgets that put the starting positions of the two parties on the table. Much of what is in each plan is for show, negotiation and politics. The path towards reconciliation has at least been started.