U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) released the following statement on today’s announcement about the labor agreement reached between the U.S. Women’s National Team Players Association and U.S. Soccer Federation that raises pay for players and effective through 2021:

“The tenacity of the U.S. Women’s National Team for pay equity serves as an important example for all. I applaud their willingness to speak out about inequities in pay between men and women,” said U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, who serves as co-chair of the U.S. Congressional Soccer Caucus and has been outspoken about reforms in women’s professional soccer and sports to lift women and correct long-standing wage discrimination.

“The team's insistence that equal treatment be a bedrock principle in sports and the workplace is an inspiration for Americans. The agreement comes a day after the Paycheck Fairness Act was filed in Congress as the barriers to equal pay for women remain. However, we can look to the example of USWNT to keep us fighting for pay equity, speak out against unfairness in sports and indeed injustice everywhere.”

U.S. Rep. Castor is the co-chair of the U.S. Congressional Soccer Caucus and a strong advocate for gender equity in sports and education. She joined President Obama last year at the White House to celebrate the U.S. Women’s National Team’s World Cup championship. She has also urged Sunil Gulati, U.S. Soccer Federation President, to lead the effort for gender equity reforms in FIFA and equity for the USWNT.

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