Issues
In the 21st century, it seems unbelievable that while women are the primary or co-breadwinners in six out of ten households; they still earn only 77 cents to every dollar paid to men. This picture is even worse for African American and Hispanic women, who earn 68 cents and 59 cents respectively for every dollar men are paid. Women face pay discrimination throughout their lives, and it follows them into retirement with lower pensions and Social Security benefits because they earned lower wages than they deserved.
We have a right to the protection of personal information. As our economy and technology continue to change, so does the face of privacy rights. Americans should feel confident that the purchases they make, the books they read, the places they travel, sensitive medical information and the legal activities they participate in within their own homes can be kept personal and private. I will continue to speak out in favor of strong privacy protections and to guarantee that individuals control what information they divulge and the nature of that information.
Public libraries serve a unique role in providing free access to all types of information and telecommunications services. Because two-thirds of our nation's libraries report that they provide the only free access to computers and the Internet in their communities and that the demands for these and other library services have increased, I support funding for the Library Services and Technology Act.
Medicaid is not only a critical source of health care for pregnant women and infants, children and people with disabilities, it is a lifeline for seniors.
With the retirement of the baby boom generation, 10,000 Americans turn 65 years old every day, and up to 70% of them will need long-term care services at some point in their lives.
Medicaid is the primary source of long-term care services in the nation. It pays for about 40% of all services provided at home and in the community and 70% of all nursing home costs.
I am proud of the improvements that the Affordable Care Act – Obamacare – makes for seniors. Under the law, seniors will get new benefits: free preventive services like cancer and diabetes screenings, a new annual wellness exam, and medical therapy to prevent dangerous drug interactions. Obamacare lowers drug costs and eliminates excess payments to private Medicare Advantage plans that drive up Part B costs to everyone. It improves quality and provides more access to doctors and other health care providers.
Social Security is a national treasure. Without its guaranteed, inflation-adjusted benefits, about half of seniors would be living in poverty. The average Social Security retirement benefit is modest – about $17,536 a year ($2,000 less for women) but 6 in 10 seniors rely on those benefits for a majority of their income and 1 in 3 for 90 percent of more. That is why I so strongly oppose proposals to cut benefits, change the formula to reduce annual cost-of-living adjustments, or raise the age of eligibility.
I have long supported women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education. There is a significant gender disparity in this sector with women holding less than 25 percent of all STEM jobs in this country. It is critical that we continue to inspire young women to pursue educational and career opportunities in STEM-related fields. There is a tremendous opportunity for women to make a difference with America's innovative capacity and global competitiveness.
As a member of the House Trade Working Group, I believe that trade can be a valuable tool to bolster our economy and strengthen our ties with foreign allies. However, we must utilize a trade model that benefits American workers. I strongly opposed the Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea, and the Trans-Pacific Partnership because they continue to rely on the NAFTA trade model that has proven disastrous for American workers.