Congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick, Democratic Women’s Caucus Leaders Send Letter to Republican Committee Chairs on Underrepresentation of Women Witnesses in the House
WASHINGTON. D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL), Democratic Women’s Caucus (DWC) Chair for Diversity & Inclusion, along with DWC Chair Lois Frankel (D-FL) and Vice Chairs Teresa Leger Fernández (D-NM) and Nikema Williams (D-GA), pushed House Republican Committee Chairs to seek more women panelists and better prioritize gender parity among Committee witnesses. This push follows a precipitous decline in women’s representation among committee witnesses when Republican chairs took the Committee gavels in the 118th Congress.
“Despite the progress that our nation has made, this data confirms what many of us have long known to be true: women remain drastically underrepresented in the halls of Congress,” said Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL). “The unique and lived experiences of women ― especially women of color ― deserve to be heard loud and clear. Alongside my colleagues in the Democratic Women’s Caucus, I urge House Committee Chairs to better prioritize gender parity throughout the remainder of the 118th Congress and for years to come.”
"As of September 6, 2023, only 31% of committee witnesses were women (see Table 1). Some Committees even have rates of women witnesses as low as 8% (Budget Committee), 12% (Armed Services Committee), and 18% (Agriculture Committee). Notably, this percentage was even lower for women of color under the age of 50. (see Table 2)," wrote the Members.
"This contrasts with the 117th Congress, when 2,159 out of 4,110 committee witnesses were women, or approximately 52%. Put simply, in most committee hearings during this 118th Congress, women’s perspectives are not being adequately heard as committees tackle issues that will have direct and important consequences on the lives of their families," added the Members.
Read the full letter below and HERE.
Dear Committee Chairs:
We write today about the urgent matter of achieving gender parity in Committee witnesses during the 118th Congress. Women have extensive expertise and unique experiences, and they deserve to have their voices heard in our committee rooms. However, in the first eight months of this Congress, women have been notably underrepresented in committee hearings—a distinct shift from the 117th Congress. The current lack of gender parity is concerning, and we urge you to seek more women panelists for committee hearings and strive to achieve equal representation of women in the witnesses that come before members of Congress.
As of September 6, 2023, only 31% of committee witnesses were women (see Table 1). Some Committees even have rates of women witnesses as low as 8% (Budget Committee), 12% (Armed Services Committee), and 18% (Agriculture Committee). Notably, this percentage was even lower for women of color under the age of 50 (see Table 2).
This contrasts with the 117th Congress, when 2,159 out of 4,110 committee witnesses were women, or approximately 52%. Put simply, in most committee hearings during this 118th Congress, women’s perspectives are not being adequately heard as committees tackle issues that will have direct and important consequences on the lives of their families.
Thank you in advance for your attention to this critical matter. We stand ready to assist as appropriate.
Sincerely,
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