Women’s Rights
Early in my life, I volunteered at a women’s health clinic. It was there that I witnessed the very real and profound impact reproductive health has on women’s lives. As an attorney, I defended a woman’s access to health care before the Supreme Court. As your Representative in Congress, I continue to stand in strong defense of these rights. Simply put, a woman's medical decisions should always be made between her and her doctor--not politicians.
Recent attempts by some politicians to chip away at that right, as well as efforts to restrict access to care, require us to remain vigilant. I strongly oppose the political actions of some House Republicans to outlaw abortions in Washington, D.C. and across the nation. We cannot afford to turn back the clock for women.
I'm also working hard to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act, which would give women more tools in the workplace to advocate for equal pay. Our country has made great strides in moving towards equal pay for equal work, but we still have a tremendously long way to go. Despite improvements, women still face systematic gender discrimination in the workplace, particularly in industries where women are underrepresented, such as science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields. On average, women working full-time currently earn 79 cents for every dollar earned by their male counterparts, and the wage gap has been frustratingly stagnant for years. I'm committed to working hard to address the economic challenges facing American women and their families. With women making up nearly 50 percent of our national workforce, it is more important than ever before to advocate for income equality.
For more information concerning my work and views on women's rights, please contact me. I look forward to hearing from you.
More on Women’s Rights
House Speaker Paul Ryan’s declaration that fellow Republicans in Congress will move to defund Planned Parenthood sparked a response from the organization’s Connecticut chapter and from the state’s federal lawmakers condemning the GOP’s plan.
According to CNN, Ryan made the announcement during a news conference on Capitol Hill as part of the GOP’s process of repealing Obamacare. Many Republicans have long opposed funding Planned Parenthood because of its abortion services.
One of the key roles of the MidState Chamber of Commerce is to CONNECT the members and business community to its elected officials. They were honored to host the Women Entrepreneurs, Women in Business & Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Roundtable with Congresswoman Esty on Tuesday, Dec. 13. Thanks to all who attended, providing valuable feedback, and engagement on the topics of women in business, and preparing the future leaders, the students for the workforce, especially in the STEM fields.
Members of Connecticut's all-Democratic congressional delegation slammed President-elect Donald Trump for choosing conservative news executive Steve Bannon as his chief strategist.
"Bannon has built his career peddling racist, sexist, and homophobic falsehoods," said Rep. Elizabeth Esty. "He is unfit to serve in any administration that values equality, diversity, peace, or even basic facts."