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
WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, a Senior Chief Deputy Whip and Chair of the Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee of the Energy and Commerce Committee, voted to protect women's reproductive rights with H.R. 3755, the Women's Health Protection Act. As the United States faces a surreal attack on Roe V. Wade and the bodily autonomy of women on a national level, this legislation will directly combat recent passage of state legislation seeking to effectively outlaw abortion. During debate on the House floor, Congresswoman Schakowsky delivered the following remarks:
EVANSTON – Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, Senior Chief Deputy Whip and Chair of the Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee, issued the following statement on the 20th anniversary of the September 11th attacks:
EVANSTON – Today, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, a Senior Chief Deputy Whip and Chair of the Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued a statement following the news of a terrorist bombing at the airport in Kabul, Afghanistan:
EVANSTON - Today, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, a Senior Chief Deputy Whip and Chairwoman of Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, released the following statement for Assyrian Remembrance Day:
"August 7, 1933. 88 years ago, this day was the first of several filled with terror that will forever be remembered and recognized by the Assyrian community. Forces from the then-Kingdom of Iraq began systematic assaults on Assyrian villages, killing as many as six thousand innocent people and displacing many more.
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WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswomen Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Cori Bush (MO-01), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), and Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) introduced monumental legislation to transform our country's approach to public safety.
Before the Supreme Court's ruling in Gross v. FBL Financial Services Inc., older workers alleging age discrimination in the workplace had to prove that age was simply one of the motivating factors behind the discrimination. This is the same burden of proof faced by those alleging discrimination on the basis of race, sex, national origin or religion.
WASHINGTON— Today, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, after voting for legislation designating a new federal holiday for Juneteenth, issued the following statement in recognition of the day:
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.