Women's Issues
As the father of four daughters, one of my highest priorities is ensuring that they and all women have equal opportunity and parity in terms of education, employment opportunities, and equal pay. It is time to acknowledge the simple fact that women’s rights are human rights, and we must use this approach as we address the pressing issues facing women today.
We must protect women’s fundamental rights, ensure that women are treated equally in our society, and work to support women in the developing world. Healthcare, reproductive justice, workplace fairness, working to end domestic violence, and international aid programs are all critical elements to accomplishing these goals.
Sexual assault, domestic violence, and stalking shouldn’t be partisan issues. This is about standing with the women of this country, increasing their safety, and bringing perpetrators to justice. I was proud to co-sponsor the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act, which President Obama signed into law in March. This law renews successful violence prevention programs and will improve the efficiency of lifesaving services.
I am also an original cosponsor of the Paycheck Fairness Act (H.R. 377), which would strengthen the Equal Pay Act and close gaps in the law that have allowed discriminatory pay practices to continue. There is simply no excuse for allowing wage discrimination to continue to harm workers and families.
More on Women's Issues
WASHINGTON – September 13 marks the 20th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which was signed into law in 1994 by President Bill Clinton. In addition to providing funding towards the investigation and prosecution of violent crimes against women, VAWA increased services available to victims, created a national domestic violence hotline and directed all states to recognize and enforce protection orders issued by other jurisdictions. Subsequent reauthorizations of the law have also included tougher penalties for federal domestic violence and stalking crimes.
WASHINGTON – Congressman John K. Delaney (MD-6) hosted a panel discussion Wednesday on the challenges faced by women in the workforce. The panel brought together experts from national nonprofit organizations, local elected officials, federal agency representatives and Sixth District constituents to discuss barriers that continue to hinder women’s professional development and success. The panel took place at Montgomery College’s Germantown campus.
WASHINGTON – August 26, 2014 is Women’s Equality Day, a date marking the anniversary of the 19th Amendment’s ratification and congressional certification. The 19th Amendment gave women the right to vote.
Congressman John K. Delaney (MD-6) releases the following statement:
This Thursday is the 5th anniversary of the last increase to the federal minimum wage, marking a half-decade since our nation’s poorest workers received a raise. Last fixed at $7.25 in 2009, the minimum wage has since dropped in terms of real earnings due to inflation, losing nearly ten percent of its value over the last five years. While today’s fulltime employees face a tough job market and an increasingly global economy, no American worker should ever have to overcome a salary that leaves their family below the poverty line.
WASHINGTON – Tuesday afternoon the House of Representatives passed a number of bipartisan bills to address sex trafficking. Sex trafficking is a major domestic and international problem. The House passed five bills addressing sex trafficking. These bills included the Stop Exploitation Through Trafficking Act, which was cosponsored by Congressman John K. Delaney (MD-6).
WASHINGTON – The White House announced today that the United States will send a team of military and intelligence personnel and hostage negotiators to Nigeria to help the Nigerian government find nearly 300 abducted girls.
The terrorist group Boko Harem has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping and has threatened to sell the girls into slavery.
Congressman John K. Delaney (MD-6) releases the following statement:
WASHINGTON – April 8, 2014 is Equal Pay Day, a date that symbolizes when women’s wages catch up to what men were paid in the previous year, reflecting the fact that women on average earn $0.77 cents for every dollar paid to men.
Congressman John K. Delaney (MD-6) is a co-sponsor of the Paycheck Fairness Act (H.R. 377) and has signed a discharge petition to bring the Paycheck Fairness Act to the House Floor for a vote. The Paycheck Fairness Act would update and strengthen the Equal Pay Act, which was signed into law by President Kennedy in 1963.
Throughout Women’s History Month 2014, we shared stories of remarkable women from around the world on our Facebook page. In case you missed any of the posts, we have rounded up all of the entries here. We hope you enjoyed the series.
WASHINGTON – Last week, Congressman John K. Delaney (MD-6) joined 31 of his congressional colleagues in an open letter of support to the women of Afghanistan. The letter, organized by Rep. Betty McCollum (MN-4) will be translated into Dari and Pashtu and distributed across Afghanistan by civil organizations that work with women. On April 5, Afghanistan will hold provincial and presidential elections.
WASHINGTON – Since 1987, Congress has recognized March as Women’s History Month. For each day of Women’s History Month, Congressman John K. Delaney’s (MD-6) Facebook page will highlight women leaders from across the Sixth District and around the world.