Caucus Democratic Women's RSS Articles

Democratic Women’s Caucus Leaders Call for Rep. Max Miller to Resign Following Reports of Domestic Violence and Child Abuse

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Chair of the Democratic Women’s Caucus Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03) and Vice Chairs Emilia Sykes (OH-13) and Hillary Scholten (MI-03) released the following statement calling for the Representative Max Miller (OH-07) to resign after reports of domestic violence and child abuse.

“The abuse perpetuated by Representative Max Miller against his wife and daughter is horrifying and now warrants immediate action by Congress. The bizarre and unnerving actions he and his legal team have taken in the last few days, including releasing private images of his two year old daughter, are beyond explanation.

Instead of focusing on fighting for an affordable America, we are again spending precious time disciplining yet another Member of Congress who is abusing his position. The culture of power hungry men who terrorize women on and off of the Hill must stop.

What Rep. Miller has been accused of is a textbook example of domestic violence and records show he has a history of abusive behavior. He has not only physically harmed women and his own child, he has also insulted the American people and institution he represents.

Due to the growing evidence and clear lack of remorse, we are calling on Rep. Miller to resign immediately.”

Democratic Women’s Caucus Leaders Call for Rep. Chuck Edwards to Resign Following Ethics Report Detailing Sexual Harassment of Staff

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Democratic Women’s Caucus Chair Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03) and Vice Chairs Emilia Sykes (OH-13) and Hillary Scholten (MI-03), released the following statement calling for Representative Chuck Edwards (NC-11) to resign after the House Committee on Ethics found that Rep. Edwards violated the House Code of Official Conduct rules on sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment.

“The report released by the House Committee on Ethics detailing their investigation into Rep. Chuck Edwards showed a clear and outlandish pattern of sexual harassment. It’s time for accountability. There must be clear and significant consequences for sexual harassment of this level.

The report describes conduct that should alarm every Member of Congress, Hill staffer, and American. He showered two young women staffers with lavish gifts, took them to intimate dinners and on trips, sent late-night personal messages, gifted the young women blue and pink hand guns, jewelry and expensive handbags, and even skipped votes to decorate one staffer’s Christmas tree with her. Rep. Edwards engaged in this behavior even after the young women made it clear it made them uncomfortable.

Serving in Congress is a privilege and honor. Members are expected to act with integrity and dignity and must be held accountable when they fail to do so.

The Ethics Committee recommendation to censure Rep. Edwards has no real consequences; it just means he has to stand on the floor of the House while the censure is read. A few minutes of embarrassing CSPAN coverage, while the staffers themselves had to endure over two years of sexual harassment, is not comparable. His actions forced both of them to leave their work in the office. A censure is an insult to the young women who bravely chose to come forward and report his behavior that threatened their careers, reputations, and safety. They had to leave their jobs, so should Rep. Edwards. He should resign immediately.

Congress has a responsibility to protect the women that work here and reciting a few words of censure on the House floor doesn’t protect women from retaliation and sexual harassment.

Congress needs to impose clear and significant consequences when an Ethics Committee investigation finds that a Member violated the Code of Official Conduct’s ban on sexual harassment and sexual relationships with staff. As part of the bipartisan sexual misconduct reform process we are undertaking, we will be proposing legislation to provide that there be clear consequences such as stripping committee assignments or a vote on expulsion for the most egregious violations of sexual misconduct. But the victims of Rep. Edwards’ sexual harassment should receive justice now, and he must resign.”

ICYMI: Members of the Democratic Women’s Caucus, Rep. Castro, FWD.us & Families Belong Together Call for the Closure of the Dilley ICE Detention Center & Release of Families in ICE Detention

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Click HERE for a recording of the press conference

SAN ANTONIO, TX — On Tuesday, July 28, members of the Democratic Women's Caucus (DWC), Rep. Yassamin Ansari (AZ-3), Rep. Lizzie Fletcher (TX-7), Rep. Luz Rivas (CA-29), and DWC Reproductive Healthcare Task Force Co-Chair & Liaison Rep. Ayanna Pressley (MA-7), held a press conference alongside U.S. Representative Joaquin Castro (TX-20), FWD.us, and Families Belong Together urging the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to release women, children, and families locked away at the Dilley Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Detention Center.

The press conference was held shortly after the congressional delegation toured the South Texas family detention center, which has been wrought with reports of inhumane treatment. The members of Congress spoke on the troubling conditions they witnessed. Family advocates and community stakeholders have cited poor water quality and medical care, insufficient meals and a lack of educational resources for children.

DWC has continuously called out ICE’s abuse of women and children and pushed for change including urging DHS to reinstate protections for immigrant survivors, demanding the firing of former DHS Secretary Kristie Noem, and hosted a hearing to highlight how Trump’s ICE has put women across the country in danger. Congressman Castro and members of the Democratic Women’s Caucus stand firm in their call for DHS to release the children and families trapped in ICE detention centers, and will continue advocating for immigration policies that uphold the dignity and safety of our nation’s immigrants.

U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro (TX-20) said, “Today, I met again with the children and families being detained in Dilley. For months I have been visiting Dilley, where there still remains no access to proper medical care, food, or education. Despite repeated and continued calls from myself, my colleagues, and our communities demanding, this cruel and inhumane treatment continues. The children and families being held at Dilley must be freed and the center closed immediately.”

U.S. Rep. Yassamin Ansari (AZ-3) said, “What we saw today at Dilley was nothing short of horrific. No child, woman, or family should be locked up like this. We must close Dilley now and release these families. Children are being jailed and traumatized while private contractors profit from it, all at the expense of American taxpayers.”

U.S. Rep. Lizzie Fletcher (TX-7) said, “Every American needs to know what we saw at the ICE Detention Center in Dilley today because it is the opposite of what we say we stand for as Americans. What we saw when we went to the facility to conduct oversight was desperation and indefinite detention for some—many women waiting for months and months with no information about their cases. By definition, no one at Dilley has a criminal record, but there we spoke with women who had little contact with the world outside, little information, and little hope. They are experiencing trauma while the rest of the country goes on without insight into their conditions or their cases because the U.S. government is not being honest with the American people about what, how, and why it is doing what it is doing. It must stop. This mass detention of women, children, and families does not serve the interests of the American people and does not represent who we are or aspire to be as a people.”

U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley (MA-7) said, “The world is watching as the Trump administration separates immigrant families, destroys the lives of children and parents, and locks them away without due process or access to adequate water, food, education, and medical care. What we witnessed in this facility was harrowing and horrific. I leave today clear as ever that Congress must close Dilley, end the practice of family detention, and abolish ICE now. We must put an end to Trump and ICE’s campaign of terror, and keep fighting for dignity, humanity, and freedom for every single one of our neighbors.”

U.S. Rep. Luz Rivas (CA-29) said, “ICE is being increasingly secretive about their actions at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center. We were only allowed to speak to one child out of 112 children – and even that interaction was cut short. ICE is traumatizing over 500 individuals – including pregnant women, children, and infants as young as 2 months old – and subjecting them to inhumane conditions for extended periods of time. These individuals should be living their lives, welcoming their newborn children, playing with their friends, and raising their families outside of ICE detention. The Trump Administration must be held accountable for the trauma it is inflicting on immigrant families. Children should not be detained, and I am continuing to call for the Dilley Detention Facility to be shut down, immediately.”

Todd Schulte, President of FWD.us, opened the press conference emphasizing the dangers of today’s immigration enforcement practices and policies. “The inhumane conditions at Dilley are well-documented and we must end family detention. This includes shutting down Dilley and releasing these children and families immediately. Dilley lacks basic necessities for anyone, especially children: no access to clean water, medical care, or proper education. Dilley reflects a broader pattern that should not be expanded with additional, unprecedented taxpayer funding. Yet, Congress has committed more than $260 billion to expand enforcement, on top of the regular appropriations to ICE and CBP of roughly $30 billion for FY25. This will only cause irreparable harm to children and communities. Thank you to the Members who continue to call for the release of families and we join them in their calls for Dilley’s closure.”

Click HERE for a recording of the press conference.

Democratic Women’s Caucus Leaders Call for an Ethics Investigation into Rep. Max Miller Following Reports of Domestic Violence and Child Abuse

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Chair of the Democratic Women’s Caucus Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03) and Vice Chairs Emilia Sykes (OH-13) and Hillary Scholten (MI-03) released the following statement calling for the House Committee on Ethics to immediately investigate Representative Max Miller (OH-07) after reports of domestic violence and child abuse:

“The recent reports of domestic violence and child abuse against Representative Max Miller are deeply disturbing and Congress can’t ignore them. Allegations of violence against women and children have to be met with the utmost seriousness.

We therefore call on the House Committee on Ethics to swiftly and thoroughly investigate these allegations.

Every woman and child deserves to live free from fear of violence, especially within the sanctity of their own home, and we will not stop fighting until that's the reality.”

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DWC Leaders Oppose Trump Admin Plan to Let Politicians Dismantle Federal Funding for Women Based on Political Ideology

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Wednesday, July 15, Democratic Women’s Caucus (DWC) Chairwoman Teresa Leger Fernandez (NM-03), Vice Chairs Hillary Scholten (MI-03) & Emilia Sykes (OH-13), and Policy Task Force Co-Chairs Deborah Ross (NC-02) & Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), submitted a public comment letter opposing a proposed rule that would alter how federal grants are administered. The rule would give political appointees the power to terminate funding on a whim if it does not align with their political ideology.

Over the past two years, the Trump administration has repeatedly threatened women’s health, economic security, and safety and used its anti-woman political ideology to justify illegally withdrawing millions of dollars in funding from critical programs and services.

The administration has already dismantled the Teen Pregnancy Prevention program and the Women’s Bureau, cut women’s health research funding, canceled dozens of grants dedicated to women in the trades, and slashed investments to programs that provide safety and stability for survivors of domestic and gender-based violence. This proposed rule would make it even easier for the administration to terminate grants that help women by legalizing this power, putting programs at the state, city, and community level at risk.

The Members outline how the proposed rule would directly impact community services that women rely on:

“No state, city, or community would be immune from the proposed rule’s far-reaching impacts, like stripping funding for critical services such as neighborhood schools that families count on, transportation systems mothers ride to the grocery store, and workforce development programs for women and small businesses.”

The Members also list programs and grants that may be legally terminated if this rule is enacted including:

“The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program, Head Start and other childcare & preschool grants, Medicaid & Medicare, research and programs addressing the black maternal mortality crisis and rural maternal health, women’s health research (including research on ovarian, cervical and breast cancer, menopause, endometriosis, and maternal health), science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs for women and girls, federal grants and resources for minority-and women-owned businesses like Women’s Business Centers, Workforce development grants, and Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations (WANTO) programs, funding for the Office on Violence Against Women grants, rape crisis centers, human trafficking victim assistance grants, campus sexual assault prevention grants, and grants to improve responses to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, and for domestic violence shelters.”

Lastly, the Members outlined how the proposed rule will politicize federal funding and hurt women across the country:

“This proposed rule would only heighten the administration’s devastating impacts on women by enshrining an anti-women agenda that targets all aspects of women’s lives. Making federal grants contingent on loyalty to the administration would be a disservice to women, girls, and families across the country.”

Read the full letter here.

DWC Members Press USDA to Reverse Rejection of Women Farmers for United Soybean Board

Tue, 14 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Tuesday, July 14, Democratic Women’s Caucus (DWC) members, led by the Committee on Agriculture Ranking Member & DWC member Angie Craig (MN-02) and Committee on Agriculture Vice Ranking Member & DWC Communications Task Force Co-Chair Shontel Brown (OH-11), called on the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to reverse its decision rejecting the nominations of four qualified women farmers to the United Soybean Board (USB).

USB is a volunteer organization intended to serve and fairly represent American famers. Throughout its 35 years of operation, leadership on the board has been chosen by the farmers themselves, not the USDA, which typically only provided a formal sign-off. This year, without justification, the USDA rejected the nominations of all four women farmers who had previously served on the board and reduced women’s representation to just five of 77 board members—the lowest rate in at least a decade.

In their letter Members highlighted the qualifications of the women USDA rejected from leadership positions as well as how this decision will hurt USB operations:

“In doing so, your Department rejected dedicated and experienced farmers such as Susan Watkins, a seventh-generation soybean farmer from Virginia, who was initially appointed to USB under the first Trump administration. Ms. Watkins had already been selected as Treasurer for the subsequent term, and her seat is now empty as a result of your intervention.”

Members also outlined how this decision will harm the growing share of women farmers’ credibility and representation in the industry:

“This represents the lowest level of membership by women farmers on USB in at least a decade, even as the share of women farmers continues to grow. This decision turned away American farmers who were qualified and experienced, had already been approved by their peers, and were eager to serve their community on the USB. Your Department has failed to give any rationale for this decision.”

Lastly, the Members warn against the Trump administration's broader plan to remove women from leadership roles in public service:

“This action comes after this administration blocked promotions for women servicemembers and illegally fired women Commissioners at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and women officials on the National Labor Relation Board. Women have been disproportionately shut out of senior roles within this administration and disproportionately affected by the mass firings within the federal workforce. None of these actions, including the USB intervention, came with any logical explanation. This not only harms the individual women who were targeted, but the broader communities and organizations that they are members of.”

Read the full letter here.

In addition to the letter leads, the letter was signed by:

Julia Brownley, Nikki Budzinski, Chrissy Houlahan, Democratic Women's Caucus Chair Teresa Leger Fernández, April McClain Delaney, Chellie Pingree, Democratic Women's Caucus Policy Task Force Co-Chair Deborah K. Ross, Democratic Women's Caucus Congressional Hispanic Caucus Liaison Andrea Salinas, Jan Schakowsky, Democratic Women's Caucus Caregiving Task Force Co-Chair Lateefah Simon, and Lauren Underwood.

DWC Members Demand Trump Admin Reinstate Terminated Funds for Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program Grants

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Thursday, July 2, 79 members of the Democratic Women’s Caucus (DWC) and the Democratic Caucus, led by DWC Reproductive Healthcare Task Force Co-Chairs Kelly Morrison (MN-03) and Judy Chu (CA-28) sent a letter to Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, demanding the immediate reversal of the administration’s cancellation of 53 active Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program (TPP) grants, totaling to $68 million in funding. In addition to reversing the cancellation of funds, the letter calls on HHS to provide the rationale behind each cancellation, justifications for canceling the grants, and explanations for redirecting the funding to programs not previously authorized by Congress.

TPP grants authorized by Congress are used to lead evidence-based programs that reduce teen pregnancy, STIs, and other health risks for young people and have long been appropriated in a bipartisan manner. Since the enactment of TPP, millions of women and girls across the country have positively benefited from increased health-education and support programs.

In their letter, the Members explain that TPP is critical to helping young people make health decisions that lead to reduced sexual risk:

“In fact, the contributions of the TPP Program were also acknowledged in a September 2017 unanimously-agreed-to-report from the Bipartisan Commission on Evidence-Based Policymaking, who highlighted the TPP Program as an example of a federal program developing increasingly rigorous portfolios of evidence. Rigorous evaluation and evidence-based practices are essential to the continued success of teen pregnancy prevention efforts for which millions of dollars have already been invested.”

The Members highlight the impact TPP’s resources and education has had on reducing teen birth rates in the U.S. and helping young people thrive:

“The teen birth rate has fallen 81% since 1991 and 72% since 2007. The outcomes of this program save lives as teenage pregnancies are at high risk for health complications. Specifically, teenagers 16-19 years old face increased risk of preterm birth, and teens 15 years old and younger are even more vulnerable to health complications. Overall, the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program has an established history of investing in community-driven strategies, identifying new curricula that work through rigorous evaluation, and supporting their implementation with fidelity.”

The Members also emphasize the harm of removing and redirecting funds from TPP programs, which will undermine the program's ability to help young people and disrupt critical research:

“Redirecting funding from the TPP program jeopardizes access to the high-quality health education, support, and resources that Congress intended. Abrupt and arbitrary disruptions on grounds unrelated to the core aims of the TPP program undermine the ability of the program to serve its congressionally intended purpose of giving young people the knowledge and tools needed to improve sexual and reproductive health outcomes and promote positive experiences, relationships, and environments that help our nation’s youth thrive.”

Read the full letter here.

In addition to letter leads, the letter was signed by: Democratic Women's Caucus, Congressional Hispanic Caucus Liaison Andrea Salinas, Democratic Women's Caucus, Servicewomen, Women Veterans, and Military Families Task Force Chair Chrissy Houlahan, Democratic Women's Caucus, Policy Task Force Co-Chair Deborah K. Ross, Democratic Women's Caucus Whip Emily Randall, Democratic Women's Caucus, Communications Task Force Co-Chair Jasmine Crockett, Democratic Women's Caucus, Progressive Caucus Liaison Jill Tokuda, Democratic Women's Caucus, National Leaders & Advocacy Organizations Liaison Joyce Beatty, Democratic Women's Caucus, Equality Caucus Liaison Julie Johnson, Democratic Women's Caucus, New Member Liaison LaMonica McIver, Democratic Women's Caucus Chair Emerita Lois Frankel, Democratic Women's Caucus, Congressional Black Caucus Liaison Lucy McBath, Democratic Women's Caucus, Member Services Task Force Co-Chair Melanie Stansbury, Democratic Women's Caucus Chief Whip Nikema Williams, Democratic Women's Caucus, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus Liaison Pramila Jayapal, Democratic Women's Caucus, Caregiving Task Force Co-Chair Brittany Pettersen, Adelita S. Grijalva, Alma S. Adams, Ph.D., Analilia Mejia, Angie Craig, April McClain Delaney, Betty McCollum, Bonnie Watson Coleman, Chellie Pingree, Chris Pappas, Danny K. Davis, Dave Min, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Doris Matsui, Dwight Evans, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Frederica S. Wilson, Gabe Amo, Greg Stanton, Gwen S. Moore, Haley M. Stevens, J. Luis Correa, Jennifer L. McClellan, Jerrold Nadler, Jesús G. "Chuy" García, Jonathan L. Jackson, Josh Gottheimer, Kevin Mullin, Kim Schrier, M.D., Kristen McDonald Rivet, Kweisi Mfume, Laura Friedman, Lizzie Fletcher, Lloyd Doggett, Lori Trahan, Madeleine Dean, Marc A. Veasey, Mark Takano, Mary Gay Scanlon, Maxine Dexter, M.D., Mike Levin, Mike Thompson, Nydia M. Velázquez, Paul D. Tonko, Ritchie Torres, Salud Carbajal, Sam T. Liccardo, Sarah Elfreth, Seth Magaziner, Seth Moulton, Shomari Figures, Shri Thanedar, Steve Cohen, Stephen F. Lynch, Suzan K. DelBene, Suzanne Bonamici, Sylvia R. Garcia, Troy A. Carter, Sr., Valerie P. Foushee, Veronica Escobar, William R. Keating, Yvette D. Clarke, and Jahana Hayes.

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DWC Members Demand Trump Admin Restore & Expand Funding for Women’s Health Research

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. —Today, Tuesday, June 30, 40 members of the Democratic Women’s Caucus (DWC), led by Policy Task Force Co-Chairs Deborah Ross (NC-02) and Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37) sent a letter to President Trump, HHS Secretary Kennedy, and NIH Director Bhattacharya, expressing continued concern with the administration's failure to address cuts to women’s health research and restrictions on research grants that use terms such as “women” and “female.” In 2025, the number of women’s health research projects decreased by 31%. The letter urges the administration to restore and prioritize funding for women’s health research, remove restrictions on the use of terms related to women in NIH-funded research, and recommit to advancing research that improves women’s health outcomes.

Today’s letter is the latest of a series of oversight measures from DWC to restore and expand women’s health research following attacks from the Trump administration. In April 2025, DWC sent an oversight letter that called on the Trump administration to stop attacking women’s health research. Additionally, last year, after pressure from the DWC, the Department of Health and Human Services restored funding for the Women's Health Initiative. However, NIH funding at-large and university-based research is still being attacked by Trump. Last fall, DWC members hosted a hearing in North Carolina on some of the tangible ways these cuts have impacted breast cancer research.

This letter also follows the release of the DWC’s Healthcare Legislative Slate, a package of bills that fulfill our commitment to building a healthier, more equitable future for all—including a future with more investments in women’s health research.

In their letter, DWC members called out the Trump administration for compromising 30 years of much-needed progress to expand women’s health research.

“Your administration single-handedly compromised over 30 years of steady progress to bolster women’s health research. While funding was restored to the Women’s Health Initiative after our advocacy and the courts stepped in to address the NIH research funding cap, your administration has not taken meaningful action to address the larger trend of threatening to defund existing and ongoing women’s health-related research, specifically due to the list of banned words. As a result, the number of women’s health research projects decreased by 31% in 2025.”

The Members closed their letter by imploring the administration to prioritize women’s health research and clearly and immediately remove the ban on ‘women’ and ‘females’ in NIH-funded research:

“Women constitute half the population and utilize healthcare more than men. Yet, women’s health research remains under-researched and under-addressed. The treatments and care that women receive are based on research on predominantly men. Gutting women’s health research does not make Americans healthier; rather, it’s a clear threat to women’s lives. It is past time for your administration to prioritize women’s health research and clearly and immediately remove the ban on ‘women’ and ‘females’ in NIH-funded research.”

Read the full letter here.

In addition to letter leads Sydney Kamlager-Dove and Deborah Ross, the letter was signed by Yassamin Ansari, Joyce Beatty, Julia Brownley, Kathy Castor, Judy Chu, Jasmine Crockett, Debbie Dingell, Sarah Elfreth, Laura Friedman, Sylvia Garcia, Adelita Grijalva, Pramila Jayapal, Julie Johnson, Sydney Kamlager-Dove, Robin Kelly, Summer Lee, Teresa Leger Fernandez, Betty McCollum, LaMonica McIver, Analilia Mejia, Nancy Pelosi, Brittany Pettersen, Chellie Pingree, Nellie Pou, Ayanna Pressley, Emily Randall, Deborah Ross, Andrea Salinas, Mary Gay Scanlon, Janice Schakowsky, Lateefah Simon, Melanie Stansbury, Haley Stevens, Rashida Tlaib, Jill Tokuda, Lori Trahan, Nydia Velázquez, Bonnie Watson Coleman, Nikema Williams, and Frederica Wilson.

DWC Leadership Renews the Fight to Restore Reproductive Health Care on the Anniversary of Dobbs

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. —Today, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, marks four years since Trump’s Supreme Court ruled on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, overturning Roe v. Wade and stripping the right to abortion care from the American people. Democratic Women’s Caucus (DWC) Chair Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03) and Vice Chairs Emilia Sykes (OH-13) and Hillary Scholten (MI-03) issued the following statement, renewing their commitment to restore, protect, and expand reproductive healthcare for all:

“Since the Supreme Court's Dobbs decision ripped away the right to abortion healthcare, women across the country have bled to death in hospital parking lots, become septic or infertile, and carried unwanted pregnancies against their will because Republicans' abortion bans denied them lifesaving care. These bans aren’t just deadly, they’re deeply unpopular. Time and time again, Americans have made it clear: Women deserve to make their own decisions about abortion without governmental interference.

That’s why the Democratic Women’s Caucus is fighting for a better future where every woman has access to the reproductive healthcare she needs. We’re spearheading legislation to restore the right to abortion care for all, end discriminatory coverage bans, and make sure every person has access to the full spectrum of reproductive healthcare wherever they live and work. We'll never stop fighting until that vision for a better future becomes a reality, and until every woman has the freedom to make her own healthcare decisions and access the care she needs.”

BACKGROUND:

On June 24, 2022, the Supreme Court issued its decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which overturned Roe v. Wade and struck down the constitutional right to abortion. This decision deprived millions of women of access to abortion care, with full bans or severe restrictions in 25 states.

The lack of national-level protection for reproductive healthcare has led to state-level attacks on reproductive care and abortion access, including attacks on access to telehealth and medication abortion. Additionally, the Trump administration has continued to attack reproductive care broadly since Dobbs. Their One Big Beautiful Bill, signed into law, stripped funding from health centers, shuttering clinics and disproportionately impacted low-income women and women of color.

The result of these ongoing attacks is a confusing patchwork of laws and enormous barriers to both women seeking access to care and to providers. Doctors are threatened with criminal penalties for providing routine, evidence-based medical care. Patients must travel further and face dangerous delays in accessing care. Both Dobbs and more recent attacks continue to limit the agency and rights of those seeking reproductive care.

However, in the face of these attacks, Democratic Members in Congress, led by the Democratic Women’s Caucus and Reproductive Freedom Caucus (RFC) are spearheading the fight to restore, protect, and expand reproductive healthcare. As part of the DWC’s mission to build a better future for every woman, we have engaged in work in Washington D.C. and districts across the country to defend women and girls from the Trump administration’s efforts to curtail reproductive rights.

Over the last year, DWC urged the Administration to rescind its Proposed Rule to ban abortion care for veterans, called for them to fund Title X grants, and urged that Trump and Republicans make investments to protect women’s healthcare in their Appropriations process. DWC also spotlighted Republicans’ attacks on reproductive healthcare at a hearing hosted in partnership with RFC and Democratic leadership. DWC members continue to introduce and push for a variety of legislation to restore, protect, and expand reproductive healthcare.

For information on your reproductive rights, please visit RFC “Know Your Rights” resources here.

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Democratic Women’s Caucus Unveils Women’s Healthcare Legislative Slate on Dobbs Anniversary

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Wednesday, June 24, 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 Healthcare Legislative Slate. The second of a series of legislative packages corresponding to DWC’s Better Future Agenda, the Women’s Healthcare Slate is a diverse set of bills grounded in one goal: a future where all women and families have affordable, accessible healthcare.

This slate comes at a critical moment. Today, Wednesday June 24, is the four year anniversary of the Dbbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which overturned Roe v. Wade and struck down the constitutional right to abortion. This decision deprived millions of women of access to abortion care, with full bans or severe restrictions in 25 states. Since the start of the second Trump administration, the President and congressional Republicans have continued and expanded attacks on healthcare to include the largest ever cuts to Medicaid, devastating blows to Medicare, attacks on women’s health research, defunding Planned Parenthood, withholding funds for Title X clinics, and the devastation of our country’s critical rural hospitals.

Women across this country deserve better. That’s why Democratic Women’s Caucus members are demanding a future that protects and expands reproductive healthcare; lowers the cost of prescription drugs and healthcare coverage; addresses the maternal mortality crisis; invests in mental health and substance use treatment; provides healthcare for immigrant women and girls; confronts racial and gender disparities in healthcare outcomes; and defends Medicaid, Medicare, and the Affordable Care Act.

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

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

“The Democratic Women’s Caucus is fighting against Trump and Republicans’ attacks to strip healthcare from women and families. We are championing a Better Future where every woman has access to the healthcare she needs,” said DWC Chair Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03). “Our Better Future Agenda is not just our vision for the future—it is a legislative plan. It reflects the diverse expertise of DWC’s members and includes very specific policies that we are ready to make reality. These bills would create a future where every mom can afford healthcare for her kid, every patient has access to treatments developed for women's health, and every young woman can make decisions about her own body and her own future without government interference. We look forward to the work ahead to pass these bills into law and our continued work to make accessible, affordable healthcare available to every woman and family in every corner of our nation.”

"Under Trump, women’s health care is under unprecedented attack by those who neither share our experiences nor bear the consequences of these actions," said DWC Policy Task Force Co-Chair Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37). "The Better Future Legislative Slate is a direct response to the recent assaults on reproductive freedom, maternal health services, and health care funding. I’m proud that the Limiting ICE’s National Encroachment Act, my bill to prevent federal agencies from sharing medical data with ICE for immigration enforcement purposes, has been included in this fight. DWC is advancing a healthier, more equitable future where women—not Republican men—have the power to make decisions about our own bodies, families, and livelihoods.”

“Four years after Dobbs, women are facing the consequences of a relentless campaign to roll back their healthcare and reproductive freedom—in North Carolina and across the country,” said DWC Policy Task Force Co-Chair Deborah Ross (NC-02). “From abortion bans and threats to contraception access to attacks on Medicaid and women’s health research, Republicans continue to insert politics into deeply personal healthcare decisions. The Democratic Women’s Caucus is offering a different path forward. Our Women’s Healthcare Slate is a comprehensive agenda to lower healthcare costs, tackle the maternal mortality crisis, strengthen access to reproductive care, and ensure every woman can get the care she needs, regardless of where she lives or how much she earns.”

“Four years after Dobbs, women across our country continue to face attacks on their reproductive freedom and barriers to the healthcare they need. That is why I am fighting to combat abortion misinformation through the Stop Anti-Abortion Disinformation Act, reaffirm that emergency abortion care is protected under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act, improve infant food safety through the INFANTS Act, expand access to nutritious foods through the Food Farmacy Act, and strengthen our behavioral health workforce through the Mental Health Improvement Act. Women deserve accurate information, affordable care, and the freedom to make their own healthcare decisions, and I will continue working to build a healthier future for women and families in Ohio and across the country,” said DWC Vice Chair Emilia Sykes (OH-13).

“As the first woman to represent Michigan's Third District, I've seen firsthand the cost of underrepresentation. Nowhere is that clearer than in medical research, which is why I'm working to close these gaps in our understanding of women's health," said DWC Vice Chair Congresswoman Hillary Scholten (MI-03). “My bill in this package, the Hormone Health Data and Research Act, directs NIH and HHS to study hormone variability and testing in women experiencing perimenopause—a condition that affects millions but has not received the research dollars it deserves. Women deserve healthcare guided by evidence, and that starts with investing in the research we've neglected for far too long.”

"Access to all forms of healthcare in the military—including abortion—is about freedom. Our military families sacrifice so much for us, yet too many of my colleagues have decided that members of our armed forces should not have something as fundamental as bodily autonomy and reproductive freedom," said DWC Servicewomen, Women Veterans, and Military Families Task Force Chair Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06). "Access to abortion is also a matter of military readiness. To be ready to fight tomorrow's wars, we must recruit and retain the brightest minds and fiercest fighters this country has to offer."

DWC Member Services Task Force Co-Chair Sara Jacobs (CA-51) said, “It is unbelievable that we are still arguing over a woman's right to health care in 2026, but we have no choice. Republicans at every level of government are actively trying to take us back to a time when women could not make decisions about their own bodies. They are slashing funding for research related to women’s health and reproductive care, attacking rights to contraception, and criminalizing life-saving reproductive health care services. That is why we need legislation like what’s included in this slate: to guarantee women the right to accessible, equitable healthcare.”

“Four years after Roe v. Wade was overturned, Republicans have not relented in their attacks on women’s abortion care and reproductive freedom. Across the country, and especially in states like Texas, women are facing the dangerous reality that their health care decisions are increasingly being dictated by politicians, not patients and their doctors. From efforts to restrict reproductive health care to policies that threaten women’s fundamental rights and freedoms, Republicans continue to use the power of government to exert control over women’s lives. I am proud to stand with my colleagues in the Democratic Women’s Caucus to defend, restore, and expand the rights and freedoms that every woman in this country deserves,” said DWC Equality Caucus Liaison Julie Johnson (TX-32).

“Four years after Dobbs, the damage is undeniable. Trump’s extremist Supreme Court opened the door to attacks on contraception, abortion care, and maternal health—and Black women have paid the highest price. But we are not going backward. I’m proud that seven of my bills are included in the Democratic Women’s Caucus legislative slate because restoring reproductive freedom means more than overturning Dobbs—it means guaranteeing access to care, confronting the Black maternal health crisis, and treating reproductive rights as human rights. We will keep fighting until every person has the freedom to make decisions about their own body, family, and future,” said DWC Chief Whip Nikema Williams (GA-05).

“At a time when women’s health is blatantly under attack, the Democratic Women’s Caucus is fighting for the healthy, safe, and equitable future that every woman deserves,” said DWC Reproductive Health Care Task Force Co-Chair and Liaison Judy Chu (CA-28). “While the Trump Administration continues to undermine reproductive health care, women’s health research, and access to Medicare and Medicaid, I am introducing legislation to restore women’s right to choose and expand women’s healthcare coverage. Together with my colleagues in the Democratic Women’s Caucus, we will fight to pass this Better Future Agenda.”

“Four years after the Dobbs decision stripped away the fundamental right of women across the country to make decisions about their own bodies, women across America continue to face relentless attacks on their health care, bodily autonomy, and basic rights,” said DWC Member Services Task Force Melanie Stansbury (NM-01). “The DWC is fighting back to ensure every woman can access the care they deserve. That's why I am proud to stand with the Democratic Women's Caucus to advance legislation that protects women's health and strengthens maternal healthcare.”

"At a time when health coverage is under attack, women diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer cannot afford arbitrary waiting periods and barriers to care. Instead of dealing with red tape and mounting medical bills, patients should be able access the benefits they've earned when they need them most. My bipartisan Metastatic Breast Cancer Act would provide immediate access to Medicare and SSDI benefits for individuals living with metastatic breast cancer, eliminating barriers that prevent patients from receiving the support they deserve," said DWC member Kathy Castor (FL-14).

“Women’s healthcare has long been marginalized and relegated to the medical research sidelines, but the disastrous Dobbs decision four years ago reminds us that even the right to fundamental control of our own body is at stake,” said DWC member Wasserman Schultz (FL-25). “Throughout my career, I’ve fought non-stop to protect the health, safety, and well-being of women and girls, from passing my EARLY Act to educate young women about the risks of breast cancer, to ensuring women veterans, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, get the healthcare they deserve at VA. I’ll keep up the pressure with my DWC colleagues until women receive the healthcare they deserve."

“It’s been four years since the Dobbs decision, and the consequences are devastating. We must protect and expand reproductive healthcare and give decision-making back to patients and providers, not politicians. Women need accessible, affordable, and supportive reproductive and maternal care, and I'm grateful that this package includes my legislation to stand up against high healthcare costs and disinformation,” said DWC member Suzanne Bonamici (OR-1).

“Since the Supreme Court stripped away the constitutional right to abortion in Dobbs, women are paying the price in a healthcare system that too often ignores their needs, pain, and safety. I'm proud to fight back alongside the Democratic Women's Caucus by coleading the Healthy Hair Act, which would ban hair straightening and smoothing products that contain formaldehyde, a known carcinogen found in products disproportionately marketed to Black and Latina women. From reproductive freedom to the products in our homes, we will not stop fighting until every woman can live a healthy, dignified life,” said DWC member Nydia M. Velázquez (NY-07).

“Donald Trump, his administration, and his allies in Congress make our country less safe for women and girls on an almost daily basis. We need to use every tool at our disposal to fight back,” said DWC member Becca Balint (VT-AL). “Today, on the anniversary of the Dobbs decision, I’m proud to be standing alongside my colleagues in the Democratic Women’s Caucus to introduce these bills that protect access to life-saving healthcare. I’m pleased that it includes my Stop Comstock Act, which would stop Republicans from using an arcane law from the 1800s to bypass Congress and enact a national abortion ban. It couldn’t be clearer: the time for action is now."

“For too long, women's health has been an afterthought and women's safety has been treated as someone else's problem. The Democratic Women’s Caucus legislative slate says not anymore. My HEADACHE Act finally invests in the millions of people, most of them women, living with chronic migraine and headache disorders that have gone underfunded and overlooked for decades. My Protect Patients from Healthcare Abuse Act makes sure that when a woman walks into an exam room, she walks out safe. I'm proud to stand with my Democratic Women's Caucus colleagues to unveil this slate, and I look forward to advancing these bills to improve women's lives across the country,” said DWC member Lori Trahan (MA-03).

“The Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade unleashed a coordinated assault on reproductive freedom that continues to endanger the health and lives of millions of women across our nation. With abortion banned or severely restricted in 20 states, many concentrated in the South, women are being denied access to essential health care that should remain a decision between a patient and their doctor, not one dictated by political agendas or extremist ideologies. We must reject these relentless attacks on fundamental rights and continue fighting to ensure that every woman has the freedom, dignity, and autonomy to make decisions about her own body,” said DWC member and Black Women & Girls Caucus Co-Chair Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09).

“Women’s healthcare—including abortion access, maternal care, drug costs, and clinical trials—should be prioritized and centered in federal policy,” said DWC member Robin Kelly (IL-02). “As the legislator who brought the issue of maternal mortality to Congress, I’m focused on ensuring all moms, no matter the color of their skin or where they live, receive the care they need and deserve to thrive. I’m proud to be a member of the Democratic Women’s Caucus as we present a united front to improving healthcare for women.”

“I have spent my career fighting for women’s healthcare, and I am proud to see all of the ideas to lower costs and improve quality of life that Democrats are bringing to the table,” said Rep. Rosa DeLauro (CT-03). “The American people are tired of paying more and more for healthcare under President Trump. My bills in this slate would help women across the country who have struggled to access the services they need: the Access to Fertility Treatment and Care Act, which would support fertility treatment, and the Find It Early Act, which would require insurance coverage for screening and diagnostic breast imaging with no out-of-pocket costs. I am also proud to support this entire slate, which would take direct aim at the high cost of healthcare that is holding American families back.”

“Four years after the Dobbs decision, women veterans are still facing political attacks on their reproductive freedom,” said DWC member Julia Brownley (CA-26). “This comprehensive Healthcare Slate would protect and strengthen access to the full spectrum of reproductive health care services for veterans, including contraception, infertility treatment, menopause care, and abortion care. Women veterans deserve access to a full spectrum of reproductive health care services and the freedom to make their own health care decisions in consultation with their doctors, not politicians. As attacks on reproductive rights continue, we must ensure that veterans can access the care, services, and support they have earned through their service to our nation.”

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