John Boehner applauded equal pay at last years SOTU, but not this year. Amanda Marcotte at Slate on why: -Erika Last night’s State of the Union address covered many of the same themes as last years speech, but President Obama had a little more fire in his belly, and Republicans appeared more hostile to his message. One big change was how congressional Republicans reacted when Obama declared his support for equal pay for women. Last year, Obama mentioned that women make 77 cents on a mans dollar and added, That is wrong, and in 2014, it’s an embarrassment. A woman deserves equal pay for equal work. The line drew crazy applause from people on both sides of the aisle, and John Boehner made sure to appear on camera standing and applauding the sentiment. Obama used a nearly identical line this year: That’s why this Congress still needs to pass a law that makes sure a woman is paid the same as a man for doing the same work. Really. It’s 2015. It’s time. This time, however, Republican butts, including Speaker Boehners, largely stayed planted to their chairs. There were even some shenanigans as Democrats tried to shame them for it. Last night’s State of the Union address covered many of the same themes as last years speech, but President Obama had a little more fire in his belly, and Republicans appeared more hostile to his message. One big change was how congressional Republicans reacted when Obama declared his support for equal pay for women. Last year, Obama mentioned that women make 77 cents on a mans dollar and added, That is wrong, and in 2014, it’s an embarrassment. A woman deserves equal pay for equal work. The line drew crazy applause from people on both sides of the aisle, and John Boehner made sure to appear on camera standing and applauding the sentiment. Obama used a nearly identical line this year: That’s why this Congress still needs to pass a law that makes sure a woman is paid the same as a man for doing the same work. Really. It’s 2015. It’s time. This time, however, Republican butts, including Speaker Boehners, largely stayed planted to their chairs. There were even some shenanigans as Democrats tried to shame them for it. What changed? The 2014 speech mentioned equal pay as more of an abstract principle, whereas this years speech detailed specific steps Congress ought to take to support it. Republicans have a history of claiming to support the idea of equal pay while shutting down every attempt to turn that ideal into a reality through legislative effort. Theyre fine with applauding the idea that women “deserve” equal pay, but balk when called upon to put their supposed support into action.
Posted on: Wed, 21 Jan 2015 19:15:00 +0000
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