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 – Last night, British Foreign Secretary William Hague received the 2014 Hillary Clinton Prize for Women, Peace and Security. In his speech at Georgetown University, Mr. Hague called for action to end sexual violence as a weapon of war, stating that, “we know that the world is capable of agreeing that even during war, certain actions are unacceptable. We must remove rape and sexual violence from the world’s arsenal of cruelty.”
WASHINGTON – Today, Catherine Russell was sworn in as Ambassador At Large for Global Women’s Issues. The Ambassador for Global Women’s Issues is one of five at-large ambassadorships in the State Department and was created in 2009.
Congressman John K. Delaney (MD-6) issues the following statement:
WASHINGTON – Speaking today on the House floor, Congressman John K. Delaney (MD-6) called for an increase to the minimum wage. Delaney’s speech marked the 50th anniversary of the War on Poverty. On January 8, 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson delivered his first State of the Union address. In his speech Johnson declared “an unconditional war on poverty.”
Minutes before Delaney spoke, Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer highlighted Delaney’s leadership on the minimum wage issue on the House floor.