Civil and Human Rights
Our government is founded on the belief that individuals have a number of "inalienable rights" enshrined in the Constitution. I believe that the protection of those rights is a fundamental obligation for each member of Congress, and I take that duty very seriously. It is important that we work to end discrimination and human rights abuses wherever they occur.
In my work in the House of Representatives, where I was previously a member of the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and Vice Chair of the Human Rights Commission, I do my best to make sure a proper balance between security and liberty is maintained, and that government's reach into our private lives is kept to a minimum.
More on Civil and Human Rights
EVANSTON – Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, a Senior Chief Deputy Whip and Founding Member of the Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus, issued the following statement recognizing Pride Month 2021:
"As we start LGBTQ Pride Month this year, I join the community in recognizing the progress our nation has made and acknowledging the challenges that remain. The first Pride was a riot, where trans women of color led the fight against police brutality and intimidation that had become the standard for LGBTQ gathering places. In 2021, many in the community continue to face hate or harassment because of the gender identity or expression, or their sexual orientation.
WASHINGTON - Today, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, a Senior Chief Deputy Whip, joined 105 members in demanding House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy meet with Metropolitan Police Department Office Michael Fanone. Officer Fanone bravely defended the United States Capitol on January 6 and suffered severe injuries. The letter was sent to McCarthy during National Police Week, a time to celebrate the heroism of our law enforcement officers and commemorate those who lost their lives in the line of duty.
The Access to Counsel Act of 2021 would ensure that U.S. citizens, green card holders, and others coming to the United States with valid travel documents may contact a lawyer or a family member if held by CBP for more than an hour.
I spoke on the House floor today during the debate on H.R. 1333, the NO BAN Act. It prohibits discrimination in immigration matters on the basis of religion and limits the authority of the Executive Branch to issue overly broad travel bans in the future.
I joined MSNBC's The Week with Joshua Johnson this weekend to talk about the recent shooting of 13yo Adam Toledo and the continued need to reform police and enact gun control laws.
EVANSTON – Today, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, a Senior Chief Deputy Whip and Chair of the Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee, released the following statement in observance of Holocaust Remembrance Day:
"Today on Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, we join together to remember the 6 million Jewish lives lost during one of the darkest moments in history. I hope all my constituents will take a moment to honor their memories and join me in an effort to ‘Never Forget'.
During a Special Order hour on Women's History Month, I honored Patsy Mink, the first woman of color in Congress.
WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, a Senior Chief Deputy Whip and Chair of the Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee, voted to pass H.J.Res. 17, a joint resolution to remove an arbitrary time limit previously set by Congress for the states to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), a proposed amendment to the Constitution that guarantees equal rights for women. This joint resolution has bipartisan support from 213 cosponsors and passed Congress by a bipartisan vote of 222 to 204.
Today, the U.S. House of Representatives said #BlackLivesMatter.
WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, a Senior Chief Deputy Whip and Founding Member of the Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus, voted for H.R. 5, the Equality Act, which passed the House by a vote of 224-206. She released the following statement after the vote: