Caucus Democratic Women's RSS Articles

Congresswomen Teresa Leger Fernández and Kat Cammack Announce Bipartisan Partnership to Combat Workplace Sexual Misconduct in Congress

Wed, 13 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Washington, D.C. — Congresswomen Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03) and Kat Cammack (FL-03) along with Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08) and Speaker Mike Johnson (LA-04) today announced a bipartisan partnership between the Democratic Women’s Caucus and Republican Women’s Caucus to combat workplace sexual misconduct in Congress. The two Caucuses will work together to identify reforms and solutions to make Congress a safer work environment for women and all survivors.

As the Chairs of the Democratic and Republican Women’s Caucuses in the House, Rep. Leger Fernández and Rep. Cammack were designated by Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Speaker Mike Johnson respectively to lead this bipartisan effort. Next steps and any proposed reforms will be done in coordination with House Administration Committee Chairman Bryan Steil (WI-01) and Ranking Member Joe Morelle (NY-25), who will both participate in this effort in an ex-officio capacity.

“All women deserve a safe working environment—including the brilliant public servants who work in Congress. That’s why the Democratic Women’s Caucus and Republican Women’s Caucus are partnering to address the procedural and cultural problems that have led to pervasive sexual misconduct on Capitol Hill. Together, we will push for bipartisan changes to make the reporting process faster and more accessibl and increase education and training resources, prioritizing staff and survivors at every step. This effort builds on the work of members of the DWC, who have pushed for better support and protections for survivors for years. We bring that expertise and dedication to this partnership," said Democratic Women’s Caucus Chair Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03). “It is sickening that Congressmen sexually harassed and assaulted women staff instead of treating them with the respect they deserved. We know these women are not alone—women across America have been sexually assaulted and harassed by men at work who think they will never face any consequences. We will continue to stand with survivors, break the silence, and fight for a future free of sexual misconduct—in Congress and everywhere across this country.”

"No woman — regardless of party, title, or position — should ever feel unsafe in her workplace. Period,” said Republican Women’s Caucus Chair Kat Cammack (FL-03). “As Chair of the Republican Women’s Caucus, I am proud to be leading a bipartisan effort alongside the Democratic Women’s Caucus to take a hard look at the systems, reporting mechanisms, and workplace culture on Capitol Hill surrounding sexual harassment and assault. This effort has the support of Speaker Johnson and Leader Jeffries because this issue transcends politics. It’s about dignity, accountability, and ensuring that every person who comes to work in the People’s House is treated with respect and protected from abuse. The reality is that coming forward is extraordinarily difficult. Fear of retaliation, damage to careers, public scrutiny, and institutional pressure often silence victims long before justice has a chance to speak. We cannot claim to support women while ignoring the very real barriers that prevent them from reporting misconduct in the first place. Yes, bad actors must be held accountable and removed when warranted. But if we are serious about fixing this problem, we also have to confront the environment that allowed the behavior to occur, persist, or be concealed. Accountability cannot begin and end with punishment after the fact. It must include prevention, transparency, education, and systems people can actually trust. Congress should set the standard — not lag behind it. This effort is about restoring confidence that Capitol Hill is a workplace where professionalism, respect, and safety are non-negotiable. Every staffer, intern, employee, and Member deserves that.”

“Led by Reps. Teresa Leger Fernandez and Kat Cammack, the principled effort to end sexual violence and harassment in Congress has the complete and unequivocal support of the House Democratic Caucus,” said Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08). “All women and survivors working on Capitol Hill and in district offices throughout the country must always be treated with dignity and respect. We support an ironclad policy so we can bring about a safe, professional atmosphere for all Congressional staff members. I am thankful for the efforts of all the members of the Democratic Women’s Caucus and look forward to the urgent work that must be done by this bipartisan group to end sexual violence and harassment.”

"To state the obvious, all women should feel comfortable and safe working in the halls of Congress. As a father who has two daughters working on Capitol Hill — this is as personal to me as it is to anyone," said Speaker Mike Johnson (LA-04). "I am happy that Reps. Cammack and Leger Fernández, the respective chairs of the Republican and Democratic Women's Caucuses, will lead this bipartisan partnership to find ways we can continue to make Capitol Hill safer for women and all staff.”

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House Democrats Introduce Legislation to Nullify Radical Expanded Global Gag Rule

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Wednesday, April 29, 2026, A group of Democratic Women’s Caucus (DWC) members and House Democrats introduced the Protecting Human Rights and Public Health in Foreign Assistance Act, legislation that will nullify the Trump administration’s radical, unprecedented expansion of the Global Gag Rule (GGR). The Members leading the legislation are Chair of the Reproductive Freedom Caucus International Women’s Rights Task Force Grace Meng (NY-06); DWC Chair Emerita and Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Lois Frankel (FL-22); Co-Chair of the Reproductive Freedom Caucus Diana DeGette (CO-01); DWC Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus Liaison and Co-Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus Transgender Equality Task Force Pramila Jayapal (WA-07); Co-Chair of the DWC Member Services Task Force and Co-Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus Transgender Equality Task Sara Jacobs (CA-51); and Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Gregory Meeks (NY-05).

The Global Gag Rule prohibits international non-governmental organizations from receiving U.S. funding if they provide, promote, or even discuss abortion services, even in countries where abortion is legal. Although U.S. funds are already prohibited from being used for abortion overseas, the policy requires recipients to forgo any abortion-related activities—even when using their own, non-U.S. funds. It also restricts organizations from referring patients to providers for critical, and in many cases lifesaving, care.

In January, the Trump administration issued an unprecedented expansion of the Global Gag Rule through three final rules—without public comment—under a new framework titled “Promoting Human Flourishing in Foreign Assistance Policy.” These rules, “Protecting Life in Foreign Assistance,” “Combating Gender Ideology in Foreign Assistance,” and “Combating Discriminatory Equity Ideology in Foreign Assistance,” collectively represent an unprecedented expansion of the Global Gag Rule. Together, these radical and far-reaching policies effectively ban all foreign assistance unless recipients conform to anti-abortion, anti-DEI, and anti-trans policies.

In addition to exporting far-right, anti-choice ideology around the world, the new policies also target the existence of minority and LGBTQ+ communities that are often persecuted by America’s adversaries due to their acute vulnerability. By preventing organizations from directing outreach or healthcare services to these groups even in cases of disproportionate impact, these rules will prevent American foreign aid from reaching its full effectiveness, abandon at-risk communities in their times of greatest need, and give America’s adversaries expanded license to target these groups.

“The Trump Administration’s crusade against healthcare and global aid is putting millions of lives at risk worldwide,” said Rep. Meng. “No one will flourish under the new Expanded Global Gag Rule. These policies weaponize foreign aid and will result in greater harm, particularly for women and girls, marginalized communities, and LGBTQI+ individuals. They should never have been implemented at all, let alone without even a basic public comment process. This legislation will reverse these dangerous policies. I’m proud to lead this effort with my fellow leaders in global health, reproductive freedom, equality, and foreign aid.”

“Trump’s expanded Global Gag Rule turns nearly all foreign aid into a political loyalty test, dictating what partners can do with their U.S. and non-U.S. funding,” said Rep. Frankel. “It throws out facts, ignores experts, and puts ideology ahead of people’s lives—blocking assistance for any partner that even provides basic information about reproductive health care or doesn’t fall in line with the Administration’s views on diversity and so-called “gender ideology.” I’m proud to stand with Rep. Meng and my colleagues to push back on these harmful, dangerous policies—and fight for foreign aid that actually works to protect human rights and save lives.”

“For over four decades, the Global Gag Rule has been used as a deadly weapon to undermine global reproductive health,” said Rep. DeGette. “As Co-Chair of the Reproductive Freedom Caucus, I have seen Republican presidents' anti-abortion extremism lead to more unsafe abortions and preventable maternal deaths far too many times. Now, the Trump administration is taking it to an unprecedented level, with dangerous consequences for women and girls, minority communities, and LGBTQI+ people. Our foreign assistance dollars are meant to improve the lives of those they support, not force health care out of reach in those communities. We will not stand idly by as Donald Trump threatens to hold all foreign aid and countless communities around the world hostage to his extreme and dangerous agenda. It is past time for the Global Gag Rule to go.”

“Trump’s dismantlement of foreign assistance and global health infrastructure have already killed thousands of people across the globe,” said Rep. Jayapal. “The expansion of the Global Gag Rule, which has been used for decades to suppress reproductive freedom abroad, prevents humanitarian organizations and foreign governments from working to address racism, gender discrimination, or ethnic conflicts. These unnecessary and cruel restrictions will put vulnerable communities, especially women and girls, ethnic minorities, and LGBTQIA+ individuals at risk. I am proud to champion this effort to reverse the Global Gag Rule to ensure the U.S. can be a moral leader on the global stage.”

“Only Donald Trump could make the Global Gag Rule exponentially worse – expanding it to deny funding to NGOs that provide abortion care, support LGBTQ+ rights, or promote DEI initiatives, even if they don’t use U.S. dollars to provide this car,” said Rep. Jacobs. U.S. foreign assistance could and should be used to improve people’s lives and promote stability and security – not make health care more inaccessible. That’s why I’m proud to support this bill to roll back Trump’s shortsighted and unpopular move and help deliver U.S. assistance to communities that need it.”

“The Trump administration has already compromised U.S. foreign assistance with its obsessive culture war, putting millions of lives at risk by holding health assistance hostage unless partnering nations and programs adopt their far-right agenda,” said Rep. Meeks. Expanding the Global Gag rule to further weaponize U.S. assistance into a broadside on vulnerable communities – including women and girls, the LGTBQI+ community, and anyone this administration deems as “DEI” – undercuts U.S. global leadership, doesn’t make Americans safer or stronger, and will lead to further preventable deaths. This is not who we are as Americans. I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing this legislation to roll back these radical changes.”

The expanded rules apply to all non-military U.S. foreign assistance, which totaled $39.8 billion in Fiscal Year 2024. Previous versions of the Global Gag Rule were limited to family planning and certain global health funding and applied only to foreign NGOs that provided or discussed abortion services.

Experts warn that the expanded policy will further strain an already weakened foreign aid infrastructure, reduce access to essential health services and lead to increased illness and preventable deaths. 6

“No matter where you live, lawmakers should not play politics with people’s freedom, health, and lives,” said Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. “President Trump’s expansion of the global gag rule and weaponization of foreign aid endangers countless lives around the world. We’re thankful to Sens. Shaheen and Rosen and Reps. Meng, Frankel, DeGette, Jayapal, Jacobs, and Meeks for introducing this bill, which blocks the policy that disproportionately harms women, girls, young people, and LGBTQI+ people around the world. Planned Parenthood Federation of America will never stop fighting so that everyone, everywhere can get the health care they need.”

“Using taxpayer money to export the Trump administration’s anti-trans, anti-science, and anti-abortion ideological agenda isn’t just immoral – it’s antithetical to efficient, effective, and rights-based foreign assistance,” said Beirne Roose-Snyder, Senior Policy Fellow of the Council for Global Equality. “We are grateful to Representatives Meng, Frankel, DeGette, Jayapal, Jacobs and Meeks and Senators Shaheen and Rosen for their leadership in introducing this bill, which would block President Trump’s malicious, so-called ‘Promoting Human Flourishing in Foreign Assistance’ policy. No one should be forced to choose between receiving U.S. foreign assistance to deliver lifesaving services for some and standing up for public health and the human rights of all, without exception.”

“U.S. foreign assistance has long been a strategic investment in a safer, more stable world—reinforcing shared values of freedom, dignity, and human rights. These investments have saved lives and helped build stronger alliances that have enhanced the safety, security, and resilience for Americans as well. The expanded Global Gag Rule weaponizes that assistance to impose an extreme, ideologically driven agenda. It censors experts, restricts care, undermines the sovereignty of foreign countries, and rolls back fundamental human rights,” said Nabeeha Kazi Hutchins, President and CEO of PAI, a global reproductive health organization. “For the first time, this policy reaches across all foreign assistance, silencing U.S. organizations, global partners, and even other governments. It extends beyond U.S.-funded programs to restrict what organizations can do with their own resources, going far beyond abortion to also target gender equality, LGBTQI+ rights, and DEI efforts. This is not evidence-based policy—it is a political attack on health and rights that weakens global stability and security. We are grateful to Representatives Meng, Frankel, DeGette, Jayapal, Jacobs, and Meeks, and Senators Shaheen and Rosen for their leadership to end this harmful policy and ensure U.S. foreign assistance supports global health and development, in line with the longstanding bipartisan values that have guided this work.”

“Women and girls around the world are already paying with their lives for the gutting of US aid for sexual and reproductive health, protection from violence, and women’s empowerment and inclusion. Clinics have closed, mothers have died in childbirth, and survivors of sexual and gender-based violence have nowhere to turn,” said Sarah Costa, Women Refugee Committee’s Executive Director. “The expansion of the Global Gag Rule will only further endanger the lives and rights of women and girls around the world. We thank Senators Shaheen and Rosen and Representatives Meng, Frankel, DeGette, Jayapal, Jacobs, and Meeks for their leadership to stop this senseless expansion and fight for the dignity and wellbeing of women and girls. We urge Congress to swiftly pass this legislation.”

“We applaud Reps. Meng, Frankel, DeGette, Jayapal, Jacobs, and Meeks and Sens. Shaheen and Rosen for introducing legislation to block the global gag rule,” said Amy Friedrich-Karnik, Director of Federal Policy at the Guttmacher Institute. “This discriminatory policy exports extreme abortion restrictions and ideologically driven mandates to countries around the world, undermining access to essential health care and vital services. Guttmacher research has already documented the harms of the policy on patients, health systems, and services, and this expanded version will only deepen those harms. This legislation is a critical step toward countering sweeping efforts to roll back rights globally and to cut off vital resources for the world’s most vulnerable populations, including LGBTQ+ communities around the world.”

The bill is led in the Senate by Senators Shaheen, Schumer, Rosen, Murray, Van Hollen, Booker, Coons, Kaine, Baldwin, Hickenlooper, and Duckworth.

A copy of the legislation can be viewed here.

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Following Letter from DWC Members, DOJ Inspector General Launches Investigation Into Mishandling of the Epstein Files

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Thursday, April 23, 2026, the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) formally notified the Democratic Women’s Caucus that they will launch an investigation into the Department of Justice’s compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act. This investigation follows a January letter from the Democratic Women’s Caucus (DWC), in which 67 DWC members led by DWC Policy Task Force Co-Chairs Deborah Ross (NC-02) and Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37) demanded a thorough investigation following a “government response that has treated [survivors’] safety, dignity, and right to justice as secondary considerations.”

Democratic Women’s Caucus Chair Teresa Leger Fernández released the following statement about the investigation:

“Led by Policy Co-Chairs Deborah Ross and Sydney Kamlager-Dove, the DWC demanded the Office of the Inspector General launch an investigation into the Department of Justice’s compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act because they’ve completely mishandled the release of the Epstein files. To this day, there are millions of files that have not been released. In fact, the Department’s actions mirror the very dynamics Epstein used: powerful people, demanding silence, keeping their crimes secret, while victims are exposed, scrutinized, and made to bear the consequences. If there are no consequences to breaking the law, then the law is not of any consequence. OIG’s investigation is a critical step to hold the Department accountable for its egregious mishandling of the files release and to move survivors closer to long-overdue justice. We will keep fighting for justice, accountability, and transparency."

Background:

The Democratic Women’s Caucus (DWC) has consistently supported the Epstein survivors during their push for accountability, transparency, and justice. DWC hosted a bipartisan vigil, championed meetings with the survivors, invited survivors to President Trump’s State of the Union, hosted survivors for multiple press conferences on Capitol Hill, and released a safety-focused legislative slate in part inspired by the Epstein survivors.

As part of this work—on Thursday, January 29, 2026—67 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 the Acting Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Don R. Berthiaume, demanding a thorough investigation into the release of the Epstein files in accordance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act. The letter called on him to intervene using all available authorities to ensure the Epstein files are released in full compliance with the law and in a survivor-centered manner. On April 23, 2026, the OIG sent DWC a response, notifying that the agency will investigate the Department of Justice as a result of DWC’s request.

Over four months after the deadline required by the Epstein Files Transparency Act, the DOJ has still failed to finish releasing the Epstein files—yet Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has egregiously said the investigation is “over.” Plus, the DOJ has continued to use inconsistent and unexplained redactions in the files that they have released, making survivors’ personal details public as they’ve covered for predators.

The DWC will not stop fighting for the Epstein survivors until the truth is fully known and every enabler and perpetrator is held accountable.

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DWC Members Urge Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to Drop Lawsuit Targeting Women’s Networking Event

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. —Monday, April 20, Democratic Women’s Caucus (DWC) Member April McClain Delaney (MD-06) led a letter to U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Chair Andrea Lucas expressing DWC’s deep concern with the EEOC’s recent lawsuit that accused a Coca-Cola distributor of discrimination because the company hosted a networking and professional development event for women employees.

In 2024, a Coca-Cola bottling distributor hosted a professional development event for women. In 2026, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission sued the Coca-Cola distributor, alleging it discriminated against its male employees by hosting the women’s networking event. The lawsuit is another example of the Trump administration’s campaign to attack women, dismantle civil rights protections, and mischaracterize equity as discrimination. The EEOC is supposed to use its resources to promote equal opportunities, not rip support away from women.

In their letter, the Members explained why prioritizing programs and opportunities that support working women is key to developing a strong workforce.

“Across industries, women face persistent structural barriers, underrepresentation in leadership, and unequal advancement opportunities–these are the issues the EEOC should dedicate their resources to confront. In many workplaces, women are a distinct minority. For generations, informal ‘old boys’ networks’ operated as de facto gatekeepers to opportunity. Women were not merely absent from these spaces–we were actively excluded. That’s why we are especially concerned by public statements suggesting that women-focused professional gatherings are analogous to exclusionary practices of the past. Such comparisons ignore context, history, and intent, and risk discouraging employers from supporting the advancement of underrepresented groups altogether. Women should not be penalized, directly or indirectly, for coming together to support one another’s professional growth. Nor should employers be deterred from facilitating those efforts in good faith. Efforts to create professional forums for connection, mentorship, and professional development are not exclusionary; they are a measured and necessary response to the stark realities women face in the workplace.”

The Members close their letter by urging the EEOC recenter its work on meaningful enforcement of civil rights laws.

“Women continue to face several systematic barriers and disparities in the workplace that require the EEOC’s resources and attention. The EEOC’s misguided prioritization to attack equal opportunity efforts is an irresponsible use of its very limited resources. We need an EEOC that confronts real, systemic violations of civil rights, not one that searches for isolated cases to fit a predetermined narrative. That is why we urge the EEOC to center its work on meaningful enforcement of civil rights laws. We stand united in our belief, not only as lawmakers but as people who have lived these experiences, that advancing opportunity for women is not only lawful, it is essential.”

Read the letter here.

In addition to letter lead April McClain Delaney, the letter was signed by Teresa Leger Fernández, Becca Balint, Danny Davis, Lois Frankel, Laura Friedman, Sylvia Garcia, Adelita Grijalva, Val Hoyle, Doris Matsui, April McClain Delaney, Eleanor Norton, Deborah Ross, Andrea Salinas, Janice Schakowsky, Terri Sewell, Norma Torres, Nydia Velázquez, and Frederica Wilson.

Dingell, Simon, Pettersen Introduce Resolution Marking Care Workers Recognition Month

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Washington, D.C. – Today, the Democratic Women's Caucus Caregiving Task Force co-chairs Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06), Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12), and Brittany Pettersen (D-CO-07) introduced a resolution establishing April as Care Workers Recognition Month to honor the roles and contributions of care workers.

“Caregiving is a core part of our economy,” said Congresswoman Dingell. “But we have a caregiving crisis in this country with millions on waiting lists to get the care they need, and an increasing number of people unable to afford it. And those who work as caregivers are not being paid fairly for their critical role. That is why it is important to recognize and honor care workers and the crucial work they do, because caregiving makes all other work is possible. When your loved ones are cared for, you can focus on the job that has to be done.”

“Care workers are the backbone of our nation, our economy, and our future. For FAR too long, they have been under recognized, undervalued, underpaid, underappreciated — the list goes on. That's why my fellow Democratic Women's Caucus Caregiving Task Force Co-Chairs and I are joining together to introduce a Congressional resolution that recognizes April as Care Worker Month,” said Congresswoman Simon. “This is just a first step towards recognizing the importance of care workers and building a new world that properly values, gives dignity to, and adequately supports and protects care workers.”

“Our caregivers do some of the most important but underappreciated work in our country – everything from cooking meals, to providing early childhood enrichment programs, administering medications, paying bills, and driving loved ones to frequent medical appointments. But that care can take a toll. That is why I am joining my colleagues to introduce this resolution recognizing Care Worker Month, because recognition is a small first step we can take to make sure they get the appreciation they deserve. Recognition alone doesn’t pay the bills or lower costs — we have to keep working to ensure every caregiver can access the resources and the real support they need,” said Congresswoman Pettersen.

In December, Dingell, Simon, and Pettersen launched the Democratic Women’s Caucus Caregiving Task Force to address problems in the caregiving economy and protect and strengthen America’s care economy by advancing policies that uplift caregivers, those they care for, and their families.

Dingell has long been a leader in Congress on expanding access to care for the elderly and the disability community, supporting the caregiving workforce, and investing in the care economy. She introduced the Better Care Better Jobs Act and HCBS Access Act to enhance federal funding for home care, strengthen the caregiving workforce, improve quality of life for patients, provide respite for family caregivers, and create good-paying jobs.

View the full text of the Care Worker Recognition Month resolution HERE.

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DWC, House Democrats Slam Republican Rewrite of Women’s History Museum Bill, Demand Restoration of Bipartisan Version with the Latino Museum

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. —Today, Thursday, April 16, 146 Members of the Democratic Women’s Caucus (DWC) and House Democratic Caucus led by DWC Chair Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03) and DWC Executive Steering Committee Members Judy Chu (CA-28) and Debbie Dingell (MI-06) sent a letter to Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (LA-04) urging him to restore the longstanding, bipartisan version of H.R. 1329, the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum Act, which would solidify plans for the museum. In their letter, Members make clear their support for passage of the bill depends on Republicans reinstating the bill’s bipartisan foundation and commitment to pair it with H.R. 1330, the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino Act.

This letter follows a March 18 House Administration Committee hearing in which House Republicans introduced and adopted a hyperpartisan version of the bill that abruptly derailed the years-long, bipartisan effort to advance the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum and National Museum of the American Latino. The bill as reported out of Committee gives unprecedented and undue control over the museum to President Trump. It also threatens the inclusion of transgender women and girls from the museum while opening the door to broader exclusion of other women. Before this last minute amendment, the work to establish the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum had been a bipartisan effort rooted in the joint conviction that women’s history and women’s stories are central to the identity of our nation.

In the letter, the Members emphasized that the design and location of a museum about women, fought for and supported by women, should not be controlled by one man.

“The buildings that house museums are interpretative objects themselves. Their design and location frame how visitors understand the content inside. The design and location of a museum about women, fought for and supported by women, should not be controlled by one man and his loyalists—particularly not a man who has been found liable for sexual assault, and regularly denigrates women based on physical appearance, among other repulsive behaviors. American women deserve better. The American people deserve better.”

The Members also explain that a provision in the Republican-amended version threatens the inclusion of transgender women and girls while opening the door to broader exclusion of other women.

“The amended bill also now vaguely states that only ‘biological women’ can be included in the museum. While the author’s intent is clearly to target transgender women and girls, the provision invites arbitrary enforcement and could be used to challenge the inclusion of any woman or girl a politician deems not ‘feminine’ enough. This is just another example of Republicans needlessly adding an anti-transgender provision to an unrelated bill that would impact not just transgender women and girls but all women and girls.”

The Members close by declaring that their support for the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum bill is contingent on the retention of the museum’s spirit and the bill’s bipartisan foundation.

“If Republicans truly want to celebrate women’s history, we call on you and your colleagues to restore the bipartisan version of this bill and move it forward with us. Our support for this bill is contingent on the retention of the museum’s spirit and the bill’s bipartisan foundation. Absent those conditions, we will be compelled to oppose the politicized version of H.R. 1329 on the House floor.”

Read the letter here. Read additional information about DWC’s efforts to finalize the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum here.

In addition to letter leads Teresa Leger Fernández, Judy Chu, and Debbie Dingell, the letter was signed by Pete Aguilar, Gabe Amo, Yassamin Ansari, Becca Balint, Nanette Barragán, Joyce Beatty, Wesley Bell, Suzanne Bonamici, Julia Brownley, Shontel Brown, Nikki Budzinski, Janelle Bynum, Salud Carbajal, André Carson, Ed Case, Sean Casten, Kathy Castor, Joaquin Castro, Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, Gilbert Cisneros, Yvette Clarke, Katherine Clark, Steve Cohen, J. Correa, Jim Costa, Joe Courtney, Angie Craig, Jasmine Crockett, Jason Crow, Sharice Davids, Danny Davis, Madeleine Dean, Diana DeGette, Suzan DelBene, Maxine Dexter, Lloyd Doggett, Sarah Elfreth, Veronica Escobar, Adriano Espaillat, Dwight Evans, Lizzie Fletcher, Valerie Foushee, Lois Frankel, Laura Friedman, John Garamendi, Jesús García, Robert Garcia, Sylvia Garcia, Daniel Goldman, Jimmy Gomez, Maggie Goodlander, Josh Gottheimer, Adelita Grijalva, Jahana Hayes, Steven Horsford, Chrissy Houlahan, Val Hoyle, Jared Huffman, Glenn Ivey, Jonathan Jackson, Sara Jacobs, Pramila Jayapal, Henry Johnson, Julie Johnson, Sydney Kamlager-Dove, Robin Kelly, Rick Larsen, George Latimer, Summer Lee, Teresa Leger Fernandez, Mike Levin, Sam Liccardo, Ted Lieu, Zoe Lofgren, Stephen Lynch, John Mannion, Lucy McBath, Sarah McBride, April McClain Delaney, Jennifer McClellan, Betty McCollum, James McGovern, LaMonica McIver, Christian Menefee, Robert Menendez, Grace Meng, Dave Min, Gwen Moore, Joseph Morelle, Kelly Morrison, Jared Moskowitz, Jerrold Nadler, Joe Neguse, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Johnny Olszewski, Frank Pallone, Jimmy Panetta, Nancy Pelosi, Scott Peters, Brittany Pettersen, Chellie Pingree, Mark Pocan, Nellie Pou, Ayanna Pressley, Delia Ramirez, Emily Randall, Jamie Raskin, Luz Rivas, Deborah Ross, Raul Ruiz, Andrea Salinas, Linda Sánchez, Mary Gay Scanlon, Janice Schakowsky, Hillary Scholten, Robert Scott, Terri Sewell, Lateefah Simon, Eric Sorensen, Melanie Stansbury, Greg Stanton, Haley Stevens, Marilyn Strickland, Emilia Sykes, Mark Takano, Shri Thanedar, Bennie Thompson, Dina Titus, Rashida Tlaib, Jill Tokuda, Paul Tonko, Norma Torres, Ritchie Torres, Lori Trahan, Derek Tran, Lauren Underwood, Juan Vargas, Marc Veasey, Nydia Velázquez, James Walkinshaw, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Bonnie Watson Coleman, Nikema Williams, and Frederica Wilson.

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With Gonzales & Swalwell Out, Democratic Women’s Caucus Leadership Commits to Continued Advocacy for Survivors

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Tuesday April 14, 2026, Reps. Tony Gonzales (TX-23) and Eric Swalwell (CA-15) resigned from Congress following reports of sexual abuse of their staff, in violation of the Congressional Code of Conduct. This came after Democratic Women’s Caucus (DWC) Chair Teresa Leger Fernández announced that she would introduce a privileged resolution to expel Rep. Gonzales who admitted to the sexual transgressions over a month ago and support a resolution to expel Rep. Swalwell.

DWC Chair Leger Fernández (NM-03) and Vice Chairs Hillary Scholten (MI-03) and Emilia Sykes (OH-13) released the following statement:

“We believe and stand with survivors. It is sickening that women staff, dedicated public servants, were met with abuse instead of respect by men who control their paycheck and career. This behavior was immoral and against our Code of Conduct.

We know these women are not alone—millions of women in America have been sexually abused and harassed by men who think they will never face any consequences—including the president of the United States. That culture has to change here and now. This week we took one small step towards changing that culture. But we are not done. The same accountability that we are demanding for Epstein and his co-conspirators must apply to Congress.

The Democratic Women’s Caucus is grateful for the work of former DWC Co-Chair Jackie Speier who led the #MeTooCongress movement, passing legislation that streamlined complaint filing and prevented taxpayers from paying for harassment settlements. We will follow in her footsteps and in the footsteps of all women who are standing up against abuse. We support improvements to the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights and Committee on Ethics processes so important investigative work can be done with the urgency that these cases demand. We will stand with survivors, break the silence, and fight for a future free of sexual harassment and violence—including in the United States Congress.”

Background:

After months of reports, on March 4, 2026, Rep. Tony Gonzales admitted to an inappropriate sexual relationship with his staffer, who later died by suicide. Rep. Gonzales has also sent appalling, sexually explicit text messages to staff. Although Rep. Gonzales had admitted to the sexual transgression over 6 weeks ago, he had not faced any consequences in the House of Representatives which prohibits sexual relations with staff as they are inherently nonconsensual due to a power imbalance. ChairLeger Fernández’s Resolution to expel Rep. Gonzales was privileged, which meant it did not depend on Speaker Johnson’s approval to be heard on the floor of the House of Representatives.

On Friday, horrifying and corroborated allegations also surfaced against Rep. Eric Swalwell, accusing him of sexual assault and harassment of staff and young women in politics. The work to uncover this abuse was led by courageous and relentless women in the creator and political space including Arielle Fodor, Cheyenne Hunt, Ally Sammarco, and Suzanne Lambert, among others. A privileged resolution to expel Rep. Swalwell was also introduced, which Chair Leger Fernández supported.

Reps. Swalwell and Gonzales resigned from Congress today.

Reps. Gonzales and Swalwell are just the latest of far too many instances of inappropriate sexual advances by a Member of Congress on staff. Their resignations come nearly a decade after the #MeTooCongress movement.

In 2017, Rep. Jackie Speier—who served as a DWC Co-Chair 2019-2023—led the #MeTooCongress movement to create a space for congressional staff to share their experiences of sexual abuse and harassment on Capitol Hill. Rep. Speier bravely told her story, when she was in her early 20s working on Capitol Hill, she was sexually assaulted by the chief of staff she worked with. This movement led to 9 members, four Democrats and five Republicans, resigning over sexual misconduct allegations in the 115th Congress (2017-2019). This list includes Senator Al Franken and Reps. Blake Farenthold, John Conyers, Tim Murphy, Trent Franks, Joe Barton, Elizabeth Esty, Ruben Kihuen, and Patrick Meehan. Specifically, Rep. Esty resigned after it was reported that she kept her Chief of Staff employed after she learned that he had harassed and threatened to kill a woman staffer in her office. Not all members who faced accusations resigned.

This issue went beyond party lines, as Congresswomen from both sides of the aisle shared their own stories and stories of staff being sexually harassed and assaulted on Capitol Hill.

Prior to the #MeTooCongress movement, the system to report sexual harassment or assault was confusing, secretive, and burdensome. At that time, staff would file a report with the Office of Compliance (now the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights) within 180 days of the incident. There would be long mediation and ‘cool off’ periods, usually resulting in the Member of Congress settling—using taxpayer dollars—and forcing a non-disclosure agreement. Many staff reported being out of the loop on the progress and updates of their own cases. This system was not conducive to accountability.

Rep. Speier then led historic legislation to reform this process. After refusing to be silenced, the ME TOO Congress Act was signed into law in December of 2018.

This law requires public reporting of settlements from Congressional offices, including the name of the Member, provides an advocate for survivors when they report, and shortens the waiting periods for those reporting. The bill also expanded these rights to unpaid staff such as interns and fellows.

We recognize that while improvements have been made, there is more work to be done to ensure the process moves quickly, is safe for staff, allows defenses to be raised, and Members to be held accountable when the evidence or admission warrants action. The Democratic Women’s Caucus will continue to work on solutions to these issues and advocate for improved processes and support for sexual assault survivors in Congress and across America.

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Democratic Women’s Caucus Chair Calls for Resignation of Reps. Gonzales and Swalwell Following Reports of Sexual Abuse of Staff

Sun, 12 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Chair of the Democratic Women’s Caucus Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03) called for the immediate resignation of Representatives Tony Gonzales (TX-23) and Eric Swalwell (CA-14) following allegations that they sexually abused their staff members.

“Men in power rely on the silence of the women they have abused. Both Reps. Tony Gonzales and Eric Swalwell believed it was acceptable to sexually abuse staff and still run for and serve in elected office. They clearly did not expect there would be any consequences for their actions.

“Thankfully, the women refused to be silenced. Reps. Gonzales and Swalwell exploited their staffers’ ideals and commitment to public service as a vulnerability. These staffers work incredibly hard and instead of being treated with respect, they were preyed upon. These women have suffered enough. Now we must act to protect them and make sure there is accountability.

“Reps. Gonzales and Swalwell are not fit to serve. They must resign. If they do not, I will vote to expel them,” said Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03).

DWC Chair Condemns Rep. Eric Swalwell; Calls for Support for Survivors

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. —Today, April 10, 2026, Democratic Women’s Caucus (DWC) Chair Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03) released a statement following reports of sexual misconduct by Rep. Eric Swalwell (CA-14):

“The reports of sexual assault perpetrated by Rep. Eric Swalwell are horrific. My heart is first and foremost with the brave women who have come forward. We stand with you. We know that women in this country are too often silenced by men with power — it must end. Rep. Swalwell’s actions would not be tolerated in any place of work, and the United States Congress should be no different. We must believe and support survivors, and hold perpetrators accountable. There must be an investigation immediately and the staffers and interns who courageously came forward must be listened to and kept safe.”

Dem Women’s Caucus Calls for Investments to Help Women and Families in 2027 Appropriations

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, DC – On Tuesday, April 7, 2026, Democratic Women’s Caucus (DWC) Chair Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03), DWC Vice Chairs Hillary Scholten (MI-03) and Emilia Sykes (OH-13) and Policy Task Force Co-Chairs Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37) and Deborah Ross (NC-02) sent a letter to U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole (OK-04) and Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) urging the Committee to center women and families in the FY 2027 appropriations process. In their letter, DWC members call for specific policies and robust funding for programs throughout the federal government that help women and families thrive.

The letter focuses on policies and funding that support DWC’s Better Future Agenda.

Economic Security: Members call for support of nutrition programs including SNAP and WIC, funding programs for women workers at the Women’s Bureau, and funding for child and family care grants.
Health Care: Members call for the protection of abortion care, more funding for women’s health, and support for global health.
Safety: Members call for increased funding for programs that support sexual assault and domestic violence survivors, and protections for immigrant women.

In their letter, the Members explain why it is critical to invest in programs that support women and families to deliver real economic security, broaden access to comprehensive health care, and protect communities across the country:

“We, the leadership of the Democratic Women’s Caucus, respectfully urge the Committee on Appropriations to prioritize investments in Fiscal Year 2027 that meaningfully support women and families across every stage of life. These investments will deliver real economic security, broaden access to comprehensive health care, and protect communities across the country. Women deserve an economy that works for them, affordable health care that centers their needs, and safe communities where justice prevails. We urge our Republican colleagues to join us in advancing meaningful results for women and families. Together, we can stand up for the American people and protect the programs and resources that ensure women and families can meet their basic needs and build a secure future.”

The Members conclude their letter by urging the Committee to join DWC in championing policies that enrich the lives of women and families across the country:

“We encourage the Committee to join us in advancing these and other critical investments so that all women have equitable access to the resources, pathways, and stability necessary to thrive in our economy and society. These priorities represent only a portion of the federal support required for women in FY27, and we remain committed to championing policies that enrich the lives of women and families across the country.”

Read the full letter to the Appropriations Committee here.

Background:

Appropriations bills, spearheaded by twelve subcommittees of the U.S. House of Representatives, are pieces of legislation that allow federal agencies to spend money from the U.S. Treasury for specific purposes. After both chambers of Congress pass an appropriations bill, it is sent to the President for approval. If signed, it becomes law and provides funding authority.

The Democratic Women’s Caucus has historically advocated for policies that center women and families in government funding packages throughout the appropriations process.

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