Democratic Women’s Caucus Announces New Leadership and Historic Membership, Promises to Ensure “Women’s Voices are Heard in the Halls of Power”
Washington, D.C. – Today, the Democratic Women’s Caucus (DWC) announced the election of their new leadership and historic membership for the 118th Congress, helmed by Chair Lois Frankel (FL-22) and Vice Chairs Nikema Williams (GA-5) and Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-3).
This Congress, a record-breaking 94 Democratic women are serving in the House of Representatives, all of whom are members of the Democratic Women’s Caucus—including 16 Democratic women newly elected in the 118th Congress. The Democratic Women’s Caucus in the 118th Congress will also be the most racially and ethnically diverse in history.
“With our diverse new leadership team and historic new membership, the Democratic Women’s Caucus is a powerful coalition that will make sure women’s voices are heard in the halls of power,” said DWC Chair Lois Frankel. “The past election made crystal clear the power of women’s voices and women’s votes, and the Democratic Women’s Caucus won’t let anyone forget that. We’re 94 members strong, and we’re already hitting the ground running, working with Congress, the Administration, state and local governments, and the private sector to deliver for women. My message to women is simple: you can count on the Democratic Women’s Caucus to fight for girls and women in our country and around the world.”
“Democrats consistently prove we are the party that puts politics aside to deliver for women. Last Congress, we helped lower healthcare costs by passing the Inflation Reduction Act, protected nursing moms and pregnant workers with the PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, and passed the Speak Out Act to restore the voice of sexual harassment survivors. These accomplishments are only the beginning,” said DWC Vice Chair Nikema Williams. “Whether working with House Colleagues, the Biden-Harris Administration, or the Democratic Senate Majority, the Democratic Women’s Caucus will keep fighting so every woman can thrive–no matter her ZIP Code, no matter her bank account.”
"In just the first days of the 118th Congress, we've seen continued attacks on women and their reproductive rights, but the Democratic Women's Caucus is here to make clear: not on our watch," said DWC Vice Chair Teresa Leger Fernández. "In every room, at every hearing, in every debate—both in the halls of Congress and across the country— we will fight for access to abortion, equal pay for equal work, and critical investments in caregiving and health care. I am proud to help lead this fight with all my incredible colleagues in the Democratic Women’s Caucus. There is nothing we cannot accomplish together.”
The full DWC leadership slate for the 118th Congress is:
Chair |
Rep. Lois Frankel |
Vice Chairs |
Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández |
|
Rep. Nikema Williams |
Chair Emerita |
Rep. Sylvia Garcia |
Chief Whip |
Rep. Lucy McBath |
Whips |
Rep. Nikki Budzinski |
|
Rep. Yadira Caraveo |
|
Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove |
|
Rep. Jill Tokuda |
Policy Task Force Co-Chairs |
Rep. Kathy Manning |
|
Rep. Ayanna Pressley |
Communications Task Force Co-Chairs |
Rep. Shontel Brown |
|
Rep. Gwen Moore |
Outreach Task Force Co-Chairs |
Rep. Debbie Dingell |
|
Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove |
|
Rep. Norma Torres |
|
Rep. Jennifer Wexton |
Member Services Task Force Co-Chairs |
Rep. Jasmine Crockett |
|
Rep. Madeleine Dean |
|
Rep. Melanie Stansbury |
Diversity & Inclusion Task Force Chair |
Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick |
White House Liaisons |
Rep. Joyce Beatty |
|
Rep. Emilia Sykes |
Senate Liaison |
Rep. Haley Stevens |
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Liaison |
Rep. Andrea Salinas |
Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus Liaison |
Rep. Jill Tokuda |
Congressional Black Caucus Liaison |
Rep. Joyce Beatty |
New Dem Coalition Liaison |
Rep. Susan Wild |
Progressive Caucus Liaison |
Rep. Delia Ramirez |
Pro-Choice Caucus Liaison |
Rep. Judy Chu |
Steering and Policy Liaison |
Rep. Nikema Williams |
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