Underwood Unveils New Economic Agenda to Strengthen Support for Women

Statement

Today, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) introduced her new women's economic agenda to ensure equal opportunity, support, and security for women. Underwood's agenda includes steps Congress should take to improve health care for women, enhance educational opportunities, promote workplace equality, support families, and ensure stability for secure retirements.

"American women are barrier breakers. We have shattered glass ceilings in education, at work, in the law, the military, and at home. Women are leading in new ways, so it's crucial we provide women with the resources they need to ensure their success," said Underwood. "My agenda is a smart step forward toward providing secure economic futures for Illinois women."

A one pager of Underwood's agenda can be found here.

Representative Lauren Underwood's Women's Economic Agenda

Health Care that Works for Women
Ensuring that all women have quality, affordable health care

Protect coverage for pre-existing conditions and essential health benefits like maternity care and contraception by enacting my legislation to protect the Affordable Care Act and ban junk insurance plans.
Reduce premiums and out-of-pocket costs by passing my legislation: the Health Care Affordability Act, the Chronic Condition Copay Elimination Act, the Primary and Behavioral Health Care Access Act, the Lower Insulin Costs Now Act, and the Veterans Preventive Health Coverage Fairness Act.
Defend access to reproductive health care by repealing the Hyde Amendment and passing my Access to Contraception Expansion for Veterans Act.
Education for the Future
Ensuring women can invest in their futures through education and training

Make college more affordable and address the student debt crisis by passing the College Affordability Act and my File Once FAFSA Act.
Expand STEM education and career training for girls and women.
Support public school teachers by passing my Teachers are Leaders Act.
Help communities invest in public schools by enacting my legislation to repeal the cap on State and Local Tax (SALT) deductions.
Equality in the Workplace
Ensuring women have equal opportunity to thrive in the workplace and grow their careers

Close the gender pay gap by enacting the Paycheck Fairness Act.
Stop workplace harassment and discrimination by passing my bipartisan EMPOWER Act.
Protect pregnant women at their jobs by passing the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act.
Guarantee equal treatment for women under the law by ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment to the Constitution.
Empowering Every Family
Ensuring all families can thrive with access to affordable childcare and paid family leave to care for a new child or sick family member

Guarantee paid family, medical, and sick leave for every worker by passing the FAMILY Act and the Healthy Families Act.
Support women caring for aging parents and family members, and expand job protections under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
Protect the rights of LGBTQ families by enacting the Equality Act.
Expand access to high-quality, affordable childcare by passing the Child Care for Working Families Act.
Financial Stability and a Secure Retirement
Ensuring that women have economic opportunity and security in retirement and housing

Close the retirement savings gender gap by implementing the SECURE Act and passing my Women's Retirement Protection Act.
Invest in our suburban communities by tackling the housing affordability crisis for both renters and homeowners.
Defend and expand earned Social Security and Medicare benefits.

Source