Democratic Women’s Caucus Promotes Commitment to America’s Women

CONTACT: Lizzie Johnson, (202)-590-6073, lizzie.johnson@mail.house.gov (DWC) 

***Watch the press conference here***

WASHINGTON, D.C. —Today, Friday September 20, the Democratic Women’s Caucus of the United States Congress (DWC) announced its Commitment to America’s Women. The Commitment pledges a steadfast mission to enacting policies for women that restore and protect reproductive freedom, lower everyday costs, and ensure economic security. 

As Republicans continue to march closer to a government shutdown and propose cuts to critical programs and agencies that support women and families, the DWC’s commitment to continuing to support women through every avenue is a stark contrast. 

“We are mothers, grandmothers, daughters, sisters, spouses and partners. We understand the joys and stresses of young families, the needs of our aging parents, and the fight for women to be in charge of their own personal health and economic security, said DWC Chair Congresswoman Lois Frankel (FL-22). “Everyday we bring our life experiences to the halls of the Capitol to tackle the challenges facing American families. We stand steadfast against Republicans’ policies that attack women and families. And we make an unwavering commitment to women in America … We see you. We hear you. And we are fighting for you to restore and protect your reproductive freedom, lower your everyday costs, and raise your wages.” 

"What we have been seeing week after week in the House of Representatives is our colleagues on the other side of the aisle not just attacking women and women's freedom, but also working against everything that is important to women,” said Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16). “We as Members of the Democratic Women's Caucus felt it was critically important to come forward and bring forward the agenda that we have to ensure that American women have everything they need to be successful. From restoring reproductive freedom to lowering costs and ensuring economic security, we are here to work on behalf of the 51% of Americans who are women and whose agenda and values have been threatened by Republicans in the House and the Senate."

"We are faced with two wildly different visions for the future of our country," said Whip Katherine Clark (MA-05). "Donald Trump, J.D. Vance, and MAGA Republicans have told us that they want to rip power and autonomy away from women and girls. With our Commitment to America’s Women, we are rejecting their extremism, putting our faith in the dreams and ambitions of our daughters, and continuing our fight for an America truly worthy of our children. I'm proud to stand with my DWC colleagues as we make it crystal clear: We will not back down.” 

"The state of reproductive healthcare in this country is at a crisis point, and Trump and MAGA Republicans have laid out the next phase in their war against women: Trump’s Project 2025. Project 2025 would implement a nationwide abortion ban, limit birth control, and force states to track women’s pregnancies—all with the goal of ripping away women’s reproductive freedoms and their abilities to control their own lives,” said DWC Pro Choice Caucus Liaison Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-28). “The Democratic Women’s Caucus has a commitment to America’s women, however, and we are fighting for them to pass legislation like my Women’s Health Protection Act that would not just restore the protections of Roe but provide women the full reproductive freedom to choose how, when, and if to start or build a family.” 

“The Democratic Women’s Caucus’s Commitment to America’s Women is the antidote to Project 2025. This is a positive legislative agenda to restore reproductive rights, bring costs down for moms and families, and deliver economic security for women. The Commitment to America’s Women is about freedom and fairness. I am proud to join my colleagues in announcing this agenda and to fight for women in every state,” said Congresswoman Shontel Brown (OH-11). 

“The average renter is spending nearly half of their income on housing. That’s simply unsustainable for families. When people are forced to spend half their paycheck on housing, there’s little left for child care, healthcare, groceries or saving for emergencies, said DWC Vice Chair Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05). We need to invest in the affordable housing that gives families the stability they deserve. Quality, affordable housing is the foundation of stable, thriving communities.” 

“While women’s rights and livelihoods are attacked by extremists, the DWC is making a simple commitment to them—we won’t back down,” said DWC Vice Chair Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03). “We will build an economy that works for women—a future where a paycheck reflects a woman’s hard work, where a woman’s career path is full of opportunity, and where families thrive because the policies that support women are in place. We will fight for women’s reproductive rights, their economic security, and their families.” 

The Commitment details the Democratic Women’s Caucus’ commitment to: 

Restore and protect reproductive freedom, including the right to access: 

Abortion 

Birth control 

IVF and fertility care 

Lower costs, including: 

Expanding access to high-quality affordable health care 

Delivering affordable child and long-term care 

Increasing the supply of affordable housing 

Promote economic security, through: 

Guaranteeing paid family and sick leave for all 

Supporting women in the workforce 

Ending the gender wage gap 

Read the full Commitment to America's Women here.