Senators call for pay equity for US women’s hockey team

Twenty senators are calling on USA Hockey to address allegations of unequal pay and treatment of the U.S. women’s hockey team.

In a letter to Dave Ogrean, the executive editor of USA Hockey, the 20 Democratic senators said they are “disturbed by reports” from the women’s team that the association does not provide “equitable support” for female athletes. 

“We urge you to resolve this dispute quickly to ensure that the USA Women’s National Hockey Team receives equitable resources,” the senators wrote in a joint letter. “These elite athletes indeed deserve fairness and respect, and we hope you will be a leader on this issue as women continue to push for equality in athletics.”

{mosads}The letter says that women frequently have to pay for their own equipment and are compensated only $6,000 every four years. 

Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), one of the letter’s signatories, on Monday echoed the letter in a series of tweets, saying he stands with the women’s team and urges USA Hockey to “step up.”

“.@usahockey should step up & treat all our national athletes the same. This will send a powerful message around the globe,” Leahy wrote.

Other signatories on the letter include Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Sen. Bob Casey Jr. (D-Pa.).