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Democratic Women’s Caucus Announces New Leadership and Historic Membership, Promises to Ensure “Women’s Voices are Heard in the Halls of Power”

March 22, 2023

 

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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