Economists Dispute Gender Wage Gap

Some economists disputed the widely touted wage gap between women and men, even as women’s groups urged senators Thursday to strengthen equal-pay laws.

Anita Hattiangadi, an economist with the Employment Policy Foundation, said: “The gender pay gap is a red herring. … Members of the Senate should look at the facts and not the rhetoric designed to incite women and make them feel victimized.”

Women’s groups quickly denounced the economists’ arguments.

Democrats and women’s groups are pushing for Congress to act to strengthen the Equity Pay Act, signed by President Kennedy 37 years ago this week to require employers to pay equal wages for equal work.