WASHINGTON, DC In this weeks address, the President underscored the importance of ensuring equal pay for equal work and highlighted the steps his Administration has taken to expand opportunity and narrow the pay gap that exists between men and women. Just this week on Equal Pay Day the President took action to increase transparency and make it easier to recognize pay discrimination. Women make up half of Americas workforce, and are increasingly the primary-breadwinners in American families. Ensuring that women are paid fairly is a commonsense step to grow our economy. That is why the President again called on Republicans in Congress to support the Paycheck Fairness Act and stop blocking progress that would benefit women because when women succeed, America succeeds.

The audio of the address and video of the address will be available online at www.whitehouse.gov at 6:00 a.m. ET, Saturday, April 12, 2014.

Remarks of President Barack Obama Weekly Address The White House April 12, 2014

Hi, everybody. Earlier this week was Equal Pay Day. It marks the extra time the average woman has to work into a new year to earn what a man earned the year before. You see, the average woman who works full-time in America earns less than a man even when shes in the same profession and has the same education.

That'swrong. In 2014, its an embarrassment. Women deserve equal pay for equal work.

This is an economic issue that affects all of us. Women make up about half our workforce. And more and more, theyre our families main breadwinners. So its good for everyone when women are paid fairly. Thats why, this week, I took action to prohibit more businesses from punishing workers who discuss their salaries because more pay transparency makes it easier to spot pay discrimination. And I hope more business leaders will take up this cause.

But equal pay is just one part of an economic agenda for women.

Most lower-wage workers in America are women. So Ive taken executive action to require federal contractors to pay their federally-funded employees at least ten dollars andten cents an hour. I ordered a review of our nations overtime rules, to give more workers the chance to earn the overtime pay they deserve. Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, tens of millions of women are now guaranteed free preventive care like mammograms and contraceptive care, and the days when you could be charged more just for being a woman are over for good. Across the country, were bringing Americans together to help us make sure that a woman can have a baby without sacrificing her job, or take a day off to care for a sick child or parent without hitting hardship. Its time to do away with workplace policies that belong in a Mad Men episode, and give every woman the opportunity she deserves.

Heres the problem, though. On issues that would benefit millions of women, Republicans in Congress have blocked progress at every turn. Just this week, Senate Republicans blocked the Paycheck Fairness Act, commonsense legislation that would help more women win equal pay for equal work. House Republicans wont vote to raise the minimum wage or extend unemployment insurance for women out of work through no fault of their own. The budget they passed this week would force deep cuts to investments that overwhelmingly benefit women and children like Medicaid, food stamps, and college grants. And of course, theyre trying to repeal the Affordable Care Act for the fiftieth or so time, which would take away vital benefits and protections from millions of women.

Im going to keep fighting to make sure that doesnt happen. Because we do better when our economy grows for everybody, not just a few. And when women succeed, America succeeds. Thanks, and have a great weekend.