*By Madison Alworth*
New York Rep. Carolyn Maloney wants women to stop paying more than men for products.
"Today my office issued a report on the 'pink tax.' This report shows, not only are we 80 cents to the dollar with the 20 percent discrimination in pay, but that we pay more for other products," said Maloney, who represents New York's 12th Congressional District, in an interview on Cheddar Tuesday.
The congresswoman was at the New York Stock Exchange to celebrate Women's Equality Day, which marks the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment.
The new ["Earn Less, Pay More"](https://maloney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/ahead-of-women-s-equality-day-maloney-casey-release-earn-less-pay-more) report highlights research by the [Government Accountability Office](https://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-18-500). The report found that half of the personal care items studied sported higher price tags for the women's version.
The issue extends beyond just personal care.
"We did see a discrepancy in how men and women were treated in mortgages, buying cars, financing, interest on their loans, even access to loans," Maloney said. "This needs to be addressed. Why should you be paid less and then have to turn around and pay more?"
Maloney hopes businesses will react proactively to her report and adjust prices so men and women pay the same amount.
For full interview [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/congresswoman-carolyn-maloney-fights-for-womens-equality).
The average city in California has a 38% higher cost of living than the average American city, according to a cost of living index. For many, the general minimum wage of $15/hour just doesn't cut it. Anti-poverty activist Joe Sanberg wants to get the minimum wage changed to $18/hour. He joins Cheddar News to discuss the Living Wage Act of 2022.
Liana Guzmán, CEO of FOLX Health, joins Cheddar News to discuss the company launching billboards across the country in response to anti-LGBTQ+ legislation.
President Biden has announced an additional $800 million in military assistance to Ukraine, including artillery, armored personnel carriers, and helicopters. It comes as Russian forces appear to be preparing for a new, aggressive offensive in the eastern part of Ukraine. Paul McLeary, defense reporter for Politico, joined Cheddar to discuss this new round of aid and what it means for the U.S. commitment to arming the embattled country.
Catching you up on what you need to know on April 18, 2022, with Russian missile attacks on the Ukrainian city of Lviv killing seven, mass shootings in South Carolina and Pittsburgh, Lucky Charms cereal under official investigation by the FDA, and more.
Activism is growing around the country in response to school boards banning books from shelves that focus on sexuality, gender, identity, or race. Jen Cousins, co-founder of The Florida Freedom to Read Project, joins Cheddar News to discuss.
As the Russian invasion of Ukraine intensifies, President Biden has announced a ban on importing Russian oil, gas, and energy. To discuss how this ban will impact the war and Americans, Amir Handjani, non-resident fellow at Quincy Institute, joins Cheddar News.
Thousands of protesters around the world are expressing their solidarity with Ukraine against Russia's invasion.
Jason Beardsley, national executive director of the Association of the U.S. Navy and national security expert, joins Cheddar News to discuss.
As gas prices surge amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine, other nations could potentially transition faster to using clean energy than previously expected. Philip K. Verleger, a senior fellow at the Niskanen Center, joined Cheddar News to explain how this could be a possibility in the near future. "Part of the reason I think we have this invasion and the tantrum that's being thrown by Russia, terrible tantrum, is because the Russians were trying to slow down the transition," he said. "Ironically they speeded it up."
