Today, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) and Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen (CO-07) introduced the Pink Tariffs Study Act, which would require the U.S. Department of Treasury to conduct a study on potential gender bias and regressivity within the U.S. tariff system and report the findings to Congress.  The introduction of this legislation follows reports that the U.S. tariff schedule places higher import taxes on women than men for the same or similar products, including razors and clothes.

“While often hidden from public view, tariffs have a significant impact on the prices Americans pay in stores every day.  Research has shown that tariffs disproportionately impact products women commonly use,” said Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher.  “But despite making up $100 billion of the U.S. tax system, tariffs are rarely examined as a form of taxation, and rates on mass-market items haven’t changed in decades.  Every American deserves a fairer tax system, and this legislation will help us get to the bottom of the issue.”

“We’ve all heard of the ‘pink tax,’ where women’s products cost more than comparable products for men, but something we haven’t begun to investigate is how our tariff system is also playing a role in price discrepancies,” said Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen.  “Tariffs on consumer goods are almost entirely passed onto working families, meaning gender bias in our tariff system would result in higher prices for women on everything from clothing to hygiene products.  I am proud to lead this legislation to address gender inequality in our trade system in order to build a better economy for every American.”

“It is far past time for U.S. policymakers to systematically examine our tariff system, which currently appears to tax women more than men and low-income families more than high-income families.  I applaud Representatives Fletcher, Pettersen, and the New Democratic Coalition’s Trade Task Force for their leadership on this essential issue,” said Ed Gresser, Vice President and Director of Trade and Global Markets at the Progressive Policy Institute.  “Tariffs are not only trade policy but one of the seven main tax systems, and as in the other six, U.S. policymakers must be vigilant to identify and correct gender bias and regressivity in it.”

Congresswoman Fletcher is Chair of the New Democrat Coalition (NDC) Trade Task Force.  The NDC is the U.S. House of Representatives’ largest Democratic caucus, committed to pro-economic growth, pro-innovation, and fiscally responsible policies.  

The NDC Trade Task Force, the Democratic Women’s Caucus, and the Progressive Policy Institute have endorsed the Pink Tariffs Study Act.

To view the full text of the bill, click here.