Democratic Women’s Caucus Demands Department of Labor Withdraw Rules that Rip Away Financial and Job Opportunities for Women

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Democratic Women’s Caucus (DWC) led by Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) and Lateefah Simon (CA-12) sent a letter to the Department of Labor (DOL) on three proposed rules that will rip away financial and job opportunities for women (RIN 1250-AA17, RIN 1205-AC21, and RIN 1235-AA51). The letter, sent to Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer and DOL staff overseeing the rulemaking process, urges the DOL to withdraw these rules and partner with the DWC to work on policies that actually strengthen women’s economic security. 

In their letter, the Members explained how the proposed rules would harm women’s ability to succeed in the economy: 

“The proposed rules would rescind anti-discrimination policies and programs that reduce barriers for underserved communities, roll back fair compensation for care workers, and eliminate apprenticeship programs designed to ensure women have equal access to apprenticeship opportunities. Not only do women deserve access to economic advancement, women are central to the strength of the American economy. Rather than stifle women’s progress in the workforce, we need to increase their wages, meet the needs of their caregiving responsibilities, and eliminate barriers to training programs for good paying jobs. Investments in women’s economic success are an investment in the success of the American economy.”

The Members conclude by urging the DOL to withdraw these harmful rules:

“These three proposed rules take away protections, pay, and economic opportunity for women. Women deserve access to good paying jobs and to be treated with fairness and dignity in every profession. When women thrive, the economy thrives. RIN 1250-AA17, RIN 1205-AC21, and RIN 1235-AA51 not only fail to uplift women in the workforce, they will actively roll back women’s rights and progress in the workplace. That is why we urge the DOL to withdraw RIN 1250-AA17, RIN 1205-AC21, and RIN 1235-AA51, and we call on the Department of Labor to partner with us to work on policies that actually strengthen women’s economic security.”

Read the full letter to the Department of Labor here.

In addition to letter leads Jennifer McClellan and Lateefah Simon, the letter was signed by Lucy McBath, Jennifer McClellan, Deborah Ross, Lateefah Sminon, Lauren Underwood, and Pramila Jayapal.