Women's Equality
As a son, husband, and father of a daughter, I've spent my whole life surrounded by strong, intelligent, and hardworking women. My wife Janine is a full time physician who has made tremendous contributions to our community. My daughter Sydra is now pursuing her college education. I feel blessed to have them in my life and to see them doing such tremendous things as we all support each other as a family. They are examples of how women throughout Sacramento County, and throughout our nation, are pursuing their dreams through determination and talent.
Since the first women's rights convention in Seneca Falls in 1848, we have certainly made great progress towards women's equality. At the same time, we still have so much more to do. In the workplace, far too many women still face gender discrimination and are paid less than men for doing the same job. Alarmingly, some still blame the victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, instead of offering support and hope to women who need it as we prosecute the abusers. Washington politicians and others keep trying to interfere in personal health decisions that should be between a woman and her doctor.
As a father, I want my daughter to grow up in a country where her gender is not a barrier to her success.
More on Women's Equality
WASHINGTON, DC – Representative Ami Bera, M.D (CA-07) today voted for H.R. 8373, the Right to Contraception Act, which would protect the right of Americans to obtain and use contraceptives.
WASHINGTON, DC – Representative Ami Bera, M.D. (CA-07) today released the following statement on the Supreme Court's decision on Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, which eliminates the constitutional rights to reproductive health care established by Roe v. Wade in 1973.
WASHINGTON, DC – Representative Ami Bera, M.D. (CA-07) today voted for two urgent pieces of legislation to address the current infant formula shortage in the United States, H.R. 7790, Supplemental Funding Legislation to Address Infant Formula Shortage and H.R.7791, Access to Baby Formula Act.
The Hill, by: Rep. Ami Bera
When doctors take a pledge to do no harm, it means we have an obligation to not knowingly hurt people who come to us for help. It also means we have a duty to talk with our patients about their options and to make sure they're fully informed partners in their own care. That's why, as both a doctor and a member of the U.S. Congress, I'm so deeply disturbed by a 38-year-old American policy known as the global gag rule.
WASHINGTON, DC – Representative Ami Bera, M.D. (CA-07) today voted for the Women's Health Protection Act, legislation that would ensure access to reproductive health care for women across the country, regardless of what state they live in.
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Representative Ami Bera, M.D. (CA-07) announced that he helped secure $275,000 in the FY 2022 House Appropriations package to help complete renovations and improvements to WEAVE's permanent support housing units for domestic violence survivors in Sacramento County.
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Representative Ami Bera, M.D. (D-CA) voted to pass H.R. 1620, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization (VAWA) Act of 2021. This critical reauthorization, which passed the House of Representative with bipartisan support, will safeguard and build upon life-saving protections for women throughout California and across the country.
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Ami Bera M.D. (D-CA-7), U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (D-MA-7), Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY-14), and Congresswoman Katie Hill (D-CA-25) introduced the Affordability is Access Act (AAA), legislation to make sure over-the-counter birth control is affordable and accessible for women across the country.
Washington, DC – HR 1585, The Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act (VAWA), passed last week in the House of Representatives, which included an amendment from Representative Ami Bera (D-CA) that enhances culturally specific services for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.
Washington, DC – Rep. Ami Bera released the following statement on cosponsoring the ME TOO Congress Act, introduced by Rep. Jackie Speier:
"Members of Congress are given the public's trust and should be held to the highest standard. The ME TOO Act is a strong first step that empowers victims of sexual harassment and holds lawmakers accountable for their behavior. This bill would provide counsel to victims, increase transparency, and require lawmakers who settle claims to personally reimburse taxpayers.
Sacramento, CA – Rep. Ami Bera, M.D. released the following statement after news broke that the Trump administration will roll back the Affordable Care Act's birth control coverage rules:
"As a doctor, I am deeply concerned and angered by the Trump administration's decision to repeal the contraception coverage requirements in the Affordable Care Act. This rule will allow bosses to deny birth control coverage and decide what's best for women. As a medical professional and public health expert, that's unacceptable.
Washington, DC – Rep. Ami Bera, M.D. welcomed the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) to Washington today to help stop the disastrous Graham-Cassidy health care bill and celebrate World Contraception Day. They released the following statements:
"Today is the 97th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, granting women the right to vote. Women's Equality Day celebrates the courage, fortitude, and conviction of the brave women and men who fought for equality in the early 1900s. Nearly one hundred years later, America has accomplished so much for women's equality, but there is still work to do.