Women’s Issues
Women's Health • Pay Equity • VAWA & IVAWA • Immigrant Women
By protecting women, we protect families. As a former co-chair of the Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues, I have long fought to protect the rights of women, including full and equal economic opportunity through equitable pay and employment opportunities. In 6 in 10 families, a mother is the primary or co-breadwinner. The persistent gaps in wages and opportunities for women have limited the resources available for families to purchase homes, save for college, and save for retirements. I am dedicated to working to prevent violence against women and establish transitional housing for women and children who are victims of abuse. As a leading member of the Pro-Choice Caucus, I have also fought for reproductive freedom.
Legislation I’ve Introduced
- Violence Against Immigrant Women Act – I introduced this bill to assist immigrant victims with legal resources necessary to escape abuse such as U visa protection and timely employment authorization.
- International Violence Against Women Act – I introduced the International Violence Against Women Act (IWAVA), a bill to create a comprehensive, 5-year strategy to combat violence against women and girls abroad. This bill would give the U.S. State Department new tools ranging from health programs and survivor services to legal reforms in order to promote economic opportunities and education for women. IVAWA would also increase humanitarian funding and update mechanisms for responding to emergency outbreaks of violence against women and girls.
- International Women’s Day Resolution Supports the goals of International Women's Day – This resolution honors women who have fought and continue to struggle for equality. Its also reaffirms Congress' commitment to ending discrimination and violence against women and girls, to ensuring their safety and welfare, and to pursuing policies that guarantee their basic rights.
Press Releases/Statements