It wouldn't exactly surprise me if Republicans blocked legislation that mandates equal pay for women as they have done so several times, but this isn't even that.
Senate Republicans have blocked a non-binding resolution that merely expresses support for equal pay.
The measure, introduced by Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), is non-binding and simply would have sent the message that the Senate believes that gender pay equity should be a priority in professional soccer. The U.S. women's national soccer team won the World Cup in July and was awarded $2 million. In contrast, the 2014 winner of the Men's World Cup, Germany, was awarded $35 million for its win against Argentina.
The non-binding resolution, which calls on FIFA to "eliminate gender pay inequity and treat all athletes with the same respect and dignity" was blocked by Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN). For reasons.
Senator Alexander said the Senate should not waste its time telling FIFA how to "award prizes" which Senator Leahy responded to by appropriately mocking Alexander's priorities.
"We're talking about taking 30 seconds out of our busy, busy, busy schedule -- of course, we were in a quorum for a few hours today -- but if we could take 30 or 50 or 82 seconds out of the 100 hours or so we'll spend, during the months of sitting here doing nothing, and pass a resolution that calls for the equal treatment of male and female athletes," he fumed.
No one even is even asking Republicans to vote for the non-binding resolution. All they had to do was not block it.
Congressional Republicans would rather spend 100 hours doing abso-fuckin-lutely nothing than express a meager amount of support for equal pay.
The U.S. Men's soccer team was paid more ($8 million) for losing during the World Cup than women were paid for winning the World Cup ($2 million).