This Mother’s Day, I want to take the opportunity to thank all mothers for the sacrifices they make every day.  My mother has always been one of the strongest influences in my life. She has given me the inspiration to follow my dreams and she instilled in me the tremendous value of honesty, hard work, and a good education.  To this day, I look to her for guidance and as an example of how to live my life both as a person and a public servant.

A mother’s job is often difficult, laborious and thankless, but every mother can have the same positive impact on their child’s life that my mother has had on me. Here in Congress, we should recognize this and work to support mothers across the nation as they work to support their families.

Delivering on equal pay for equal work would allow a working mother to provide for her family with fewer constraints. Access to quality childcare provides the flexibility to work or pursue educational goals. Providing paid leave so that mothers are not forced to send their sick child to school. Making college affordable would make it so that those mothers who wish can achieve success in the classroom without hindrance. These are just a few of the steps Congress can take right now to give working mothers the support they both need and deserve. I value the major contributions mothers and all women make to our country and will continue to fight for policies that put them, their dreams, families, and goals first.

Whether it’s sending flowers or just saying “thank you,” take time to ensure every mother knows how important they are today and every day.

From one son to mothers everywhere, Happy Mother’s Day!