HOW THEY VOTED

MAJOR CONGRESSIONAL ROLL CALLS FOR THE WEEK ENDING

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Kevin McCarthy, R-Bakersfield 4100 Empire Drive, Suite 150, Bakersfield, CA 93309 661-327-3611 or 202-225-2915 kevinmccarthy.house.gov

David Valadao, R-Hanford 2700 M St., Suite 250B, Bakersfield, CA 93301 661-864-7736 or 202-225-4695 valadao.house.gov

Equal pay for women: Voting 217-210, the House on April 15 passed a bill (HR 7) to tighten current federal law against gender-based wage discrimination and prevent employers from paying women less than men for equivalent work. Sponsors of the bill said full-time female workers receive 82 cents for every dollar paid to male counterparts. The legislation would prohibit wage discrimination based on gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy or childbirth. Employers challenged in court would have to show that wage disparities are based on factors other than sex — such as education, training or experience — and are a business necessity. A yes vote was to send the bill to the Senate.

McCarthy: NO

Valadao: NO

Self-policing by employers: By a vote of 183-244, the House rejected on April 15 a proposed amendment to HR 7 (above) that would have allowed employers accused of wage discrimination to avoid penalties if during the previous three years they had conducted a job and wage analysis and taken steps to remedy any disparities based on sex that the audit revealed. A yes vote was to adopt the amendment.

McCarthy: YES

Valadao:

Protecting Healthcare Workers From Violence: Voting 254-166, the House on April 16 passed a bill (HR 1195) to order new Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) rules protecting healthcare and social service employees from workplace violence and require employers in those sectors to implement plans to safeguard workers. OSHA would have a year to issue an interim standard and 42 months to complete the rulemaking process. A yes vote was to pass the bill.

McCarthy: NO

Valadao: NO