Mobile Menu - OpenMobile Menu - Closed

Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty

Representing the 5th District of Connecticut

Connect

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

January 11, 2017 Press Release
Two bills authored jointly by Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty (D-CT) and Congresswoman Barbara Comstock (R-VA) passed the U.S. House of representatives yesterday with broad support from both parties. Both bills aim to help women launch careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields where they are underrepresented and encourage women to start their own STEM-focused small businesses.
January 10, 2017 Press Release
Two bills authored jointly by Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty (D-CT) and Congresswoman Barbara Comstock (R-VA) passed the U.S. House of representatives today. Both bills aim to help women launch careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields where they are underrepresented and encourage women to start their own STEM-focused small businesses.
January 6, 2017 In The News

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.

January 5, 2017 Press Release
Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty (CT-5) today issued the following statement after House Speaker Paul Ryan announced that House Republicans would move to strip Planned Parenthood of all federal funding.
January 4, 2017 In The News

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.

January 3, 2017 Press Release
Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty (CT-5) was officially sworn in as a Member of the 115th United States Congress today,
November 29, 2016 Press Release
Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty (CT-5) today applauded the inclusion of several important initiatives for central and northwest Connecticut in the bipartisan 21st Century Cures Act – a comprehensive health care package that the House of Representatives will be voting on tomorrow.
November 21, 2016 In The News
U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2nd district, and Rep. Elizabeth Esty, D-5th district, along with a Democratic representative from New Hampshire, sent a letter, signed by a number of other Democrats in Congress, urging leadership to honor promises made about opioid funding, Courtney's office said.
November 15, 2016 In The News

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."

October 25, 2016 In The News
Community leaders from across central and northwestern Connecticut were recognized at “Nostros Brillamos,” or “We Shine."