Women's History Month

Floor Speech

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Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commemorate Women's History Month.

As one of the 108 women in Congress today, I am thankful to follow the trail blazed by so many American women who demanded the right to vote and participate in our democracy.

I am inspired by recent historic milestones, for example, of the first women ever who are graduating from the Army's elite Ranger school and of the Department of Defense, which is finally expanding all combat roles to qualified servicewomen. These achievements are further proof that women can break any barrier if they are given the chance, if they are willing to, and if they are given the support and opportunity to do so.

Unfortunately, today's widespread social and economic inequalities disproportionately hurt American women. In 2016, a typical woman in America earns only 79 cents to the dollar that a man earns. Over a lifetime, that is $400,000 of wages lost, and she risks losing her job if she needs to care for her children or sick family members.

So we take this month to thank America's women, but there is a lot more to do.

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