Economic Opportunity

Every woman and family deserves the opportunity to thrive, from birth to retirement and at every step along the way. The Democratic Women’s Caucus is fighting for economic policies that make that promise real. We’re working to build an economy where women have access to quality education and career & technical training, can pursue good-paying jobs with fair wages and paid leave, and are supported on every path they choose. Whether a woman decides to start a family, launch a business, become a caregiver, advance her career, or all of the above, she should have the tools and resources to succeed—affordable child care and preschool programs, strong resources and access to capital to start her business, affordable food and essentials, and workplaces that value her contributions. Our goal is simple: every woman should be able to end her day in a safe, affordable home, with healthy food on the table, and the peace of mind that comes from true economic security and dignity.

Bills

• Paycheck Fairness Act – 119th Congress (H.R.17)
  • This bill directly supports an economy built for women by closing the gender wage gap and protecting workers’ rights to discuss salaries, countering economic systems that undervalue women’s labor.
• Women's Retirement Protection Act – 119th Congress (H.R. 2023)
  • By strengthening retirement security for women, especially those with lower lifetime earnings or time out of the workforce for caregiving, this bill defends women against an economy that leaves them vulnerable in old age.
• Hunger-Free Future Act – 119th Congress (H.R.2489)
  • This bill would protect the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) from backdoor benefit cuts by requiring that any updates to the Thrifty Food Plan (TFP) do not result in an increase in hunger among low-income families.
• Pink Tax Repeal Act – 119th Congress (H.R. 3374)
  • By banning gender-based price discrimination on everyday products, this bill challenges economic practices that unfairly burden women with higher costs for similar goods, especially under inflationary pressures.
• Building Child Care for a Better Future Act – 119th Congress (H.R.2595)
  • This bill would expand guaranteed child care funding and create grants to improve child care workforce, supply, quality, and access.
• Domestic Workers Bill of Rights Act – 119th Congress (H.R. 3971)
  • By extending labor rights to domestic workers, disproportionately affecting women of color, this bill demands a fair economy that recognizes and values care work, often excluded from traditional labor protections.
• Salary History Question Prohibition Act – 119th Congress (H.R. 2219)
  • This bill would prohibit employers from asking job applicants for their salary history before making a job or salary offer.
• Child Care for Working Families Act – 119th Congress (H.R. 4418)
  • By funding states and tribal entities to expand access to licensed child care, this bill demands an economy that supports working women and families, especially in underserved communities where care infrastructure is failing.
• American Family Act – 119th Congress (H.R.2763)
  • The American Family Act proposes to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 by creating a refundable child tax credit with monthly advance payments.
• Social Security Expansion Act – 119th Congress (H.R.1700)
  • The bill creates surplus protection accounts for Social Security and Medicare, restricts their investment until new laws allow alternatives, and forms a commission to study non-government investment options.

DWC Letters

• March 6, 2025 – Letter to Secretary Kennedy on Reinstating Child Care Workers
  • Demands restoration of early care workforce.
• March 25, 2025 – Letter to Trump on Tariff Policies
  • Argues tariffs are raising costs for women and families.
• March 25, 2025 – Letter to Trump on SSA Firings
  • Defends federal workers and Social Security infrastructure.
• April 14, 2025 – Letter to Secretary Chavez-DeRemer on Women’s Bureau at DOL
  • Protects workers’ rights and institutional support for women in the labor force.
• April 30, 2025 – Letter to Trump on "More Babies" Proposals
  • Rejects policies that fail to support mothers and working families.
• May 13, 2025 – Letter to Committee Republicans on Reconciliation Priorities
  • Defends Medicaid, SNAP, and other basic needs programs.
• May 28, 2025 – DWC Leadership Letter on Appropriations Priorities
  • Advocates for federal funding that helps families thrive.
• June 16, 2025 – Follow Up Letter on Women’s Bureau
  • Continues advocacy to protect the Women’s Bureau within the Department of Labor.