Senate Democrats: Time for equal pay. Republicans: Nuh-uh.

You would think that closing the wage gap and strengthening equal pay laws would not be controversial. The Equal Pay Act is nearly a half-century old now, and although it went a long way toward closing the pay gap, it didn't do enough. The Paycheck Fairness Act would close some of the loopholes in that act and strengthen and enforce existing laws to finally end wage discrimination. Seems fair, right? Seems uncontroversial, right?

Wrong. Because of course the Republicans don't think the wage gap is a real issue. That's why they voted unanimously to block the bill in 2010, and why they're still insisting it's a "distraction" from issues that really matter'like protecting light bulb freedomz and giving yet more tax breaks to the one percent.

And they wonder why we say they're waging a war on women and why that pesky gender gap persists and why Mitt Romney's not-so-brilliant three-pronged strategy to woo the womenfolk hasn't worked and why the the latest attempt to prove Republicans are the party of women, with this week's introduction of the lady Republicans congressional caucus, has been greeted with universal guffaws and eye rolling.

Fortunately for them, Senate Majority Harry Reid is offering them another opportunity to stand with, instead of against, women by bringing the Paycheck Fairness Act up for another vote. As Reid said today:

The Paycheck Fairness Act is a logical extension of protections under the Equal Pay Act. It will help close the pay gap by empowering women to negotiate for equal pay and creating strong incentives for employers to obey the laws already in place.

Republicans deny they're waging a war on women, yet they've launched a series of attacks on women's access to health care and contraception this year.

Now they have an opportunity to back up their excuses with action.

I hope they take that opportunity, and join Democrats as we send a clear message that America values the incredible contributions women make every day.

Will Republicans actually take this opportunity to do the right thing by passing this law and fighting for equal pay for women? Not bloody likely. Politico reports that Republicans continue to insist that the bill is unnecessary. They say the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act'which Republicans also opposed, by the way'is sufficient to address the wage gap. Of course, the Ledbetter Act doesn't actually address the wage gap; it merely extends the statute of limitations, giving women more time to file suit against their employers if and when they discover they're being paid unfairly. It's an important law, but it doesn't close the wage gap or end wage discrimination. The Paycheck Fairness Act, however, would attempt to do exactly that.    

Sen. Reid is right. If Republicans want to prove they really do care about women's equality, this is their perfect opportunity. Will they take it? Don't hold your breath.

Email your senators to tell them to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act.