2012 Missouri Senate Debates: on Civil Rights

Claire McCaskill: FactCheck: Akin's female staff are not paid as much as men

The I-Team checked salary numbers. Over his 12 years in Congress, Akin paid men an average of $15,872 per quarter. Women on average made $12,152 per quarter. That is a difference of $3,720, or 31%--even bigger difference than McCaskill's campaign came up with. So on this claim, we say: true.

We did take a look at McCaskill's Senate staff salaries. We found she pays women an average of $24,405 per 6-month period. Men are paid an average of $23,966. That's a difference of $439, or 2%.

The I-Team asked Akin's office to weigh in on the discrepancies. His spokesman says there's no policy dictating a difference in pay between men and women on the staff. He also says the congressman's chief of staff is a woman who was hired as a front desk employee and promoted. The Akin camp also says right now, its female staff makes 14% more than the men.

Todd Akin: No policy to pay female staff less than men (but he does)

The I-Team checked salary numbers. Over his 12 years in Congress, Akin paid men an average of $15,872 per quarter. Women on average made $12,152 per quarter. That is a difference of $3,720, or 31%--even bigger difference than McCaskill's campaign came up with. So on this claim, we say: true.

We did take a look at McCaskill's Senate staff salaries. We found she pays women an average of $24,405 per 6-month period. Men are paid an average of $23,966. That's a difference of $439, or 2%.

The I-Team asked Akin's office to weigh in on the discrepancies. His spokesman says there's no policy dictating a difference in pay between men and women on the staff. He also says the congressman's chief of staff is a woman who was hired as a front desk employee and promoted. The Akin camp also says right now, its female staff makes 14% more than the men.

Claire McCaskill: Women shouldn't get paid less simply because they're women

Akin did not respond directly to McCaskill's assertion, but has said he believes pay should be left to the discretion of employers. Akin said McCaskill must share the blame for the slumping economy and growing national debt.

Todd Akin: Women's pay should be left to discretion of employers

Akin did not respond directly to McCaskill's assertion, but has said he believes pay should be left to the discretion of employers. Akin said McCaskill must share the blame for the slumping economy and growing national debt.