DWC Members Unveil Economic Legislative Slate: An Economy for Women

Washington, September 29, 2026

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Tuesday, September 29, 2026, the Democratic Women’s Caucus (DWC), led by Chair Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03) and Policy Task Force Co-Chairs Deborah Ross (NC-02) and Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), released its Women’s Economic Legislative Slate; the third pillar of DWC’s Better Future Agenda and a policy slate designed to deliver financial stability, lower costs, economic justice, and opportunity for women and families.

This agenda comes at a critical moment for women and families, as Trump and Congressional Republicans continue to launch attacks on working families and send costs through the roof. Affordability for American families is at a historic low, with 49% of Americans unable to afford the true cost of living. Across the country, women are forced to choose between paying for groceries, healthcare, childcare, or gas as they struggle to afford to make ends meet—they deserve more. 

While Republicans pour billions into wars overseas and funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), we are focused on building a future that puts affordability and economic security for women first. We are demanding a future with lower costs that closes the gender pay gap and combats wage theft; expands access to affordable childcare and paid family leave; strengthens retirement security; supports small business owners and entrepreneurs; protects workers' rights and unions; and ensures economic opportunity for all working families. 

Read here a slate of bills led by DWC members that we are pushing forward to fulfill our commitment to building an affordable and more equitable future for all. 

Read quotes from Democratic Women’s Caucus members with legislation included in the slate:

“Republicans and the Trump administration have made it harder for families and women to put food on the table, afford gas to drive to work, or receive lifesaving healthcare,” said DWC Chairwoman Teresa Leger Fernández. “The affordability crisis is setting women back and making it nearly impossible for women to establish the economic security needed to build a hopeful and prosperous future. That is why I introduced the Home of Your Own Act, Latina Equal Pay Act, Every Child Deserves a Head Start Act, and Women in Agriculture Act as part of DWC’s Economic Legislative Slate. My bills seek to lower costs, expand childcare access, close the gender pay gap, and create economic opportunities for women.”

“As the cost of gas, groceries, housing, and healthcare continue to rise, women and families are feeling the impact,” said DWC Vice Chair Emilia Sykes (OH-13). “I’ve introduced legislation to expand the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit and end tax on overtime for all workers to keep more money in family’s pockets, extend access to nutritious food, and ensure domestic violence survivors retain access to their Social Security benefits when they leave an abusive spouse. Women and families deserve a break and I’ll never stop fighting to make sure their voices are heard.”

"As the first woman and mother to represent my part of the country in Congress, I’m proud to stand with the Democratic Women’s Caucus in demanding a future with lower costs, fair pay, and real economic security,” said DWC Vice Chair Hillary Scholten (MI-03). “My bill in this package, the Tri-Share Child Care Pilot Act, splits the cost of child care three ways — between employers, employees, and government — so working parents aren’t shouldering that burden alone. It’s a stable, bipartisan solution that’s workable and can withstand changing political hands in Washington. Child care isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity for working parents. Women deserve an economy that works for them, and where they can fully participate in the work.”

“Our nation is facing an unprecedented cost of living crisis, and too many women are working harder than ever to stay afloat,” said DWC Policy Task Force Co-Chair Deborah Ross (NC-02). “Under this administration, women in North Carolina and across the country are being squeezed by the rising costs of healthcare, groceries, childcare, and so much more. Women deserve a future where economic security doesn’t feel like an impossibility. That is the future the Democratic Women’s Caucus is fighting to build. Our Economic Legislative Slate outlines solutions that support all women by lowering costs, expanding childcare access, closing the gender pay gap, and creating opportunities for women to succeed financially.” 

“I’ve met with women in Georgia’s Fighting Fifth who are business owners working to keep their doors open, care workers who make all other work possible, and mothers and grandmothers struggling to put food on the table. The DWC Economic Legislative slate is a commitment to advancing the economic freedom of not just women back home but across the country. We’re fighting for equal pay for equal work, equal opportunity, affordable childcare, equal access to capital, and an end to wage theft. We’re fighting for a better future. Women deserve better, and I stand with the DWC as we continue fighting for the equity, opportunity, and economic freedom they all deserve,” said DWC Chief Whip Nikema Willians (GA-05).

“Many of my neighbors rely on our ferries every day to commute to their jobs, get to doctors appointments, and connect with their loved ones. When boats are taken off service routes, this creates significant challenges for the 20 million+ annual ferry riders in Washington state. Ferry commuters across the country deserve reliable transportation -- the bipartisan FERRIES Act significantly boosts funding for federal ferry programs to help keep routes running, and make sure that ferry riders get to where they need to go,” said DWC Whip Emily Randall (WA-06).

“The Democratic Women’s Caucus is focused on giving women more opportunities to earn, save, and build lasting financial security. My Fast Track Healthcare Apprentices Act creates faster pathways into good-paying health care careers, while my Expanded Student Saver’s Tax Credit Act helps working students start saving for retirement earlier. From a first paycheck to a secure retirement, the Democratic Women’s Caucus is working to give women more opportunities to get ahead and build a more secure financial future,” DWC Equality Caucus Liaison Julie Johnson (TX-32).

“The Democratic Women's Caucus is fighting for women who are being stretched thin by President Trump's rising costs and shrinking opportunities. Our legislative agenda would deliver real relief and promote women's economic freedom. As a leader in the Caucus, I am proud to have introduced legislation that drives this work forward — including bills to strengthen our mental health workforce and help families keep healthy food on the table. With this agenda, we're sending a clear message: women should have the power to build their lives without being held back by costs, crises, or politicians determined to limit their potential,” DWC Congressional Hispanic Caucus Liaison Andrea Salinas (OR-06).

"Under Donald Trump, it has become harder for women and families to make ends meet,” said DWC New Dem Coalition Liaison Norma Torres (CA-35). “At a time when families are already feeling squeezed by the cost of everyday necessities, the pink tax is an unfair burden that women should not be forced to carry. Women shouldn’t have to pay more simply because a product or service is marketed to them. I’m glad my legislation, the Pink Tax Repeal Act, is included in the Democratic Women’s Caucus Economic Legislative Slate, because we must put an end to gender-based price discrimination and help women keep more of their hard earned money. I’m proud to join the Democratic Women’s Caucus in advancing an agenda that lowers costs, expands economic opportunity, and helps ensure every woman has the financial security she deserves.”

"At a time in which Trump and his Republican co-conspirators are putting their own pockets and priorities before workers' and families', the DWC’s Economic Legislative Slate presents a future that promotes financial stability and wealth-building for all women," said DWC Reproductive Healthcare Task Force Co-Chair & Liaison Ayanna Pressley (MA-07). "Rather than leave families out to dry in Republicans' affordability crisis, our legislative slate would deliver support for accessible and affordable housing, food security, childcare, small businesses, workers, and more. We refuse to accept the harm of this economic crisis as an inevitability, and we're fighting for a legislative agenda that ensures women, children, and families can afford the lives they deserve."

"Women's issues are economic issues; when women thrive, our economy thrives," said DWC member Rashida Tlaib (MI-12). "I introduced the Economic Dignity for All Agenda and the Stop Price Gouging in Grocery Stores Act to help ensure that every woman, child and family has the resources to flourish. People deserve the right to economic security; our livelihoods should not be sacrificed to corporate greed."

"Black women deserve to lead happy and healthy lives. We are still more likely to be denied a mortgage. Still more likely to die in childbirth. Still paid less for the same work,” said DWC member Robin Kelly (IL-02). " The path to real economic freedom lies in solutions that address the problems at a systems level. My Protect Black Women and Girls Act, part of the Democratic Women's Caucus's Better Future Legislative Slate, does that.”

"Working families deserve financial security, a path to the middle class and economic opportunity," said DWC member Val Hoyle (OR-04). “This Administration is stripping these opportunities and turning back the clock on progress. We’re fighting back with a forward-thinking economic agenda that will close the gender pay gap, protect worker's rights and lower costs, helping Americans thrive for generations to come.”

"President Trump's tariffs and his reckless war in Iran are driving up costs across the board and hardworking Americans are paying the price. I'm proud to stand with my fellow members of the DWC in introducing common-sense legislation like the Farm and Family Relief Act, which will put an end to these catastrophic policies, drive down costs for farmers and help working families put food on the table,” said DWC member Angie Craig (MN-02).

"The Trump Administration's record on issues important to working-class women goes beyond restrictions on healthcare; it goes after their very right to support themselves and their families. Predatory corporate practices like discrimination in auto insurance rates target working-class women and women of color who are most economically vulnerable. I'm grateful for the Democratic Women's Caucus for standing up to these corporate vultures and their allies in the Trump Administration by supporting my Prohibit Auto Insurance Discrimination Act to finally put an end to car insurance company practices that see working moms with clean driving records paying higher rates than a corporate executive with DUIs,” said DWC member Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12).

“Women entrepreneurs have helped power our economy for generations, but they still face too many barriers when competing for federal contracts,” said DWC member Nydia M. Velázquez (NY-07). “I’m proud that my WOSB Accountability Act is part of this slate because when the federal government sets a goal to contract with women-owned businesses, those opportunities should actually reach certified women entrepreneurs. This agenda is about giving women the tools and opportunities to build businesses, support their families, and succeed.”

“Women keep our families and communities going, and so often do it with their voices silenced, needs overlooked, and rights undermined. As the Trump administration wages a war on women and Republican leaders attack our rights, I am proud to stand on the front lines with the DWC in fighting back,” DWC member LaMonica McIver (NJ-10). “The DWC’s legislative slate is an ambitious roadmap for actually delivering the results women deserve: economic freedom, real opportunities to get ahead, and the autonomy to make decisions about her own body, family, and life. That future is possible, and I will stand with my fellow DWC members as we fight for it.”

"Grocery bills, childcare, and rent keep going up, while Trump and Congressional Republicans do nothing to bring costs down," said DWC member Laura Friedman (CA-30). "The Democratic Women's Caucus has a real plan to change that, and I'm proud my Stop Disaster Price Gouging Act is part of it. After the LA wildfires, too many people who had just lost everything were hit with outrageous price hikes on housing and basic necessities. My bill cracks down on disaster price gouging with a $25,000 penalty that goes directly to supporting victims, while also giving survivors and state attorneys general the power to hold exploitative businesses accountable. I'll keep fighting alongside my DWC colleagues for an economy that makes life more affordable."

“Women’s economic freedom means having the tools and support to build stable, healthy lives for themselves and their families,” said DWC member Grace Meng (NY-06). "At a time when the Trump Administration and Republicans are threatening women’s economic security, the Democratic Women’s Caucus is putting forward a clear agenda to lower costs, protect workers, expand access to childcare and paid leave, and ensure every family has the opportunity to thrive. I’m proud that my Hot Foods Act is included in this agenda. By allowing SNAP recipients to purchase hot and prepared foods, this bill would help seniors, people with disabilities, working parents, and families access the food they need with dignity. We must continue supporting bold solutions that make everyday life more affordable and build a stronger, more equitable economy for all.”