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Poll: Americans conflicted over equal pay laws

A bill to guarantee that women receive the same amount of pay as men for the same work failed in the U.S. Senate last week, angering many who consider the failure an endorsement of workplace discrimination.

By Aileen Graef

WASHINGTON, April 15 (UPI) -- A new HuffPost/Yougov poll shows that Americans are conflicted when it comes to supporting equal pay laws.

The poll shows 60 percent of Democrats, 40 percent of Independents and 38 percent of Republicans believe that women have fewer employment opportunities than men, but only 52 percent of Democrats, 27 percent of Independents, and 14 percent of Republicans believe in the necessity of new pay laws.

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When it comes to being in the workplace, 61 percent of women believe they have fewer opportunities in the workplace while only 30 percent of men agree.

Several Republican lawmakers have said there is no need for equal pay laws because there are already laws in place to prevent discrimination in the workplace. There has also been some controversy over the size of the pay gap. It has been stated as high as 23 cents on the dollar but some estimates peg the gap at 9 cents.

Even though it failed in the Senate last week, Senate Democrats have vowed to bring the issue back to the table. Along with immigration, unemployment extension and a minimum wage hike, equal pay legislation is another source of tension for lawmakers as they approach the 2014 midterm elections.

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[HuffPost Live]

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