Issue Position: Fighting for Women's Rights

Issue Position

Women are heads of household, community leaders, and entrepreneurs, and are entitled to the same protections under the law that men enjoy. I am committed to promoting policies that ensure equality and opportunity for all women. Congress must ensure that women receive equal pay for equal work, establish an equal playing field, support programs addressing violence against women, and improve access to affordable, quality health care.

Equal Pay for Equal Work

The gender pay gap is an insult to women, a burden on hard-working families, and an anchor on our economy. The hard work women do in every industry in America should be reflected in their compensation. Equal pay will especially help minority women who are most negatively impacted by the gender pay gap. Solutions to address this problem, like the Paycheck Fairness Act, should be quickly passed by Congress so America's working women get the equal pay they deserve.

Leveling the Playing Field

Women have broken through many of the glass ceilings in our society, but there are still barriers preventing them from reaching their full potential. Increasing access to affordable child care and instituting paid family and medical leave will give many women the opportunity to provide and care for their family without sacrificing their goals.

Standing Up for Victims of Violence

Every woman has the right to feel safe at home, on campus, at work, and while walking down the street. This is why I fought to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). This law put programs in place that strengthen the criminal justice system's response to crimes against women and provides transitional housing, legal assistance, law enforcement training and hotlines for victims of domestic violence. We must stand up and speak out against all incidences of violence against women because one is too many.

Protecting Women's Health

I oppose any measure aimed at limiting women's access to healthcare. Maintaining funding for community health centers that provide vital health services such as HIV and STD testing, breast exams, cervical cancer screenings, and general healthcare services is important to women everywhere, especially in rural and medically underserved areas . Every woman has been guaranteed the right to dictate her own reproductive health by the Supreme Court and no one should have the ability to make that decision for her.

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