Issue Position: Family Issues

Issue Position

Women, Children and Families

As a country, we have made strides to improve women's rights today, but there is still a lot of work to be done. I am working to provide support and opportunities for women because when women succeed in work and at home, our economy and communities succeed.

Every woman deserves access to reproductive health services and the ability to make her own decisions about her health. I am fighting for women's rights and will stand up against legislation that would prevent a woman from making her own healthcare decisions.

Strong Start for American Children Act

Increases opportunities for low-income preschoolers through federal-state partnerships.

Stepping up to STEM Act

This important legislation would help spur innovation and discovery by providing grants to prepare our students for careers in science, technology, engineering, and math.

Bank on Students Emergency Loan Refinancing Act

This legislation would give students the opportunity to refinance their student loan debt at the same low rate being offered currently to new borrowers.

Violence Against Women Act

This bill, (also commonly referred to as "VAWA") of which I cosponsored the House version, continues and improves the VAWA programs that protect women from domestic violence by providing new protections and services for immigrants, Native Americans, and LGBT persons.

Paycheck Fairness Act

I cosponsored this bill to improve women's ability to achieve pay equity.

Protect Women's Health From Corporate Interference Act of 2014

I cosponsored this bill, which would prevent corporate employers from using religious beliefs to deny employees coverage of contraception or any other vital health service required by federal law and keep in place existing exemption for religious employers (e.g., houses of worship) and accommodation of religious non-profits. This bill is the legislative response to the Supreme Court decision in Hobby Lobby.

Pregnant Workers Fairness Act

Ensures pregnant workers are not forced out of their jobs or denied reasonable accommodations that would allow them to keep working.

In Congress I support:

Providing women equal pay for equal work
Equal access to reproductive health services and a woman's right to choose

Providing grants to schools to prepare our students for careers in STEM -- science, technology, engineering, and math

Increase access to and make higher education more affordable

Paid sick leave for parents

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