Press Releases

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) joined 34 members in introducing a resolution (H.Res. 746) urging the U.S. Soccer Federation to immediately end gender pay inequality.

“Member of the U.S. Women’s National Team are some of the most visible athletes in the world and serve as an inspiration and as role models to young athletes across the United States and worldwide,” the resolution states. “Unequal pay on the basis of gender tells women and girls that, whether on the soccer field or in the office, the hard work of the women or girls is not valued equally to that of male counterparts.”

Earlier this year, DelBene joined more than 100 House colleagues in sending a letter to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) calling for pay equity between the U.S. Soccer Federation men’s and women’s national teams.

Five U.S. Women’s National Team players – including Seattle Reign’s Megan Rapinoe and Hope Solo – recently filed a federal complaint with the EEOC against the U.S. Soccer Federation for wage discrimination.

In 2015, the women’s team produced nearly $20 million in revenue and won the World Cup, breaking television rating records with 25.4 million viewers in the final match alone, as compared to the men's record of 18.2 million in 2014.

Rep. Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) led the resolution, which is a companion measure to one from Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), which passed in the Senate today.

###