Beto: We Need to Pass the ‘Equal Rights Amendment’ So Women of Color Are Paid Equally

EXCERPT:

O'ROURKE: "Thank you for the question, for offering your experience as an example for the urgency with which we must meet this challenge. So yes, I support a $15 minimum hourly wage in this country for everyone without exception, regardless of your occupation. I want to make sure that you are protected from harassment and intimidation in your place of work, so I want to strengthen those protections and the accountability and justice for those who violate the protections that are in place. But I also want to acknowledge that a minimum wage is not going to be enough, especially when it comes to women of color. Women alone in this country are paid 80 cents on average what a man is paid for the same job, but African American women? 61 cents of what a man is paid. Latinas, 53 cents of what a man is paid. We also need an Equal Rights Amendment ratified in this country so that no woman can be discriminated against on any basis whatsoever. So those are the ways I want to meet this challenge. Thank you."