Democratic Women’s Caucus Slams Republicans’ Debt Limit Package: “A Disaster for Women”

Washington, DC, April 20, 2023

Today, Democratic Women’s Caucus (DWC) Chair Lois Frankel (FL-22) issued the following statement on House Republicans’ debt limit package which includes spending cuts to FY22 funding levels, blocks student loan relief, cuts climate credits from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and includes unnecessarily stringent Medicaid work requirements.

“Let’s not mince words: House Republicans’ plan would be a disaster for women and families,” said DWC Chair Frankel. “Republicans are holding our economy hostage and threatening a devastating debt default, and their only proposal would cut funding for kids’ schools, rip away nutrition assistance that keeps families fed, cut child care and Head Start slots, and make it harder to get health care.”

“We will not abide by Republicans playing politics with women and families’ well-being. The Democratic Women’s Caucus will never stop putting people over politics and pushing to deliver for women.”

Republicans’ plan to cap the budget at FY2022 levels would mean huge cuts for families across the country and be devastating for women. According to information requested by House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro, this proposal would lead to:

  • 200,000 children losing access to Head Start slots and 100,000 children losing access to child care—making it more difficult for parents to join the workforce and contribute to our economy;
  • 1.2 million women, infants, and children losing vital nutrition assistance through Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC);
  • and more.

By contrast, the Democratic Women’s Caucus and House Democrats are focused on putting people over politics and delivering for women and families. Last month, DWC leaders led a letter outlining the DWC’s appropriations priorities and making clear that investments in women and girls shouldn’t be partisan—because they are absolutely critical to the success of our nation. The members specifically pushed for investments to:

  • Boost women in the economy—including investments in child care, Head Start, home care, and paid leave;
  • Prevent violence against women—including by fully funding the bipartisan Violence Against Women Act (VAWA);
  • Support women’s health—including investments in our national family planning program, and resources to address the maternal mortality crisis;
  • Support women service members and veterans—including by continuing efforts to prevent sexual harassment and assault in our military;
  • And provide aid to women and girls abroad—including investments to prevent and respond to gender-based violence worldwide.

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