Issue Position: Women's Issues

Issue Position

As a woman and mother, I am committed to legislative initiatives that promote gender equality and awareness of women's issues. I have worked consistently to create equality in the workplace and to improve the health, safety and quality of life for women and all Americans.

Women's Health

I am proud of the progress we have made in women's health needs over the past ten years, but we must not lose sight of the fact that health and prevention are inextricably linked to education and awareness.

On March 26, 2009, I introduced the EARLY Act -- the Breast Cancer Education and Awareness Requires Learning Young Act of 2009. The EARLY Act will teach both young women and medical professionals alike about risk factors, warning signs of breast cancer and good breast health, which will help women make informed decisions about their bodies.

Fairness in the Workplace

In the workplace, women have the right to be free from discrimination, and deserve equal pay and economic opportunities. Women make up a growing share of our workforce, and more women than ever before are corporate executives, business owners and high level government officials.

Despite this progress, certain inequalities persist. More than 40 years after the passage of the Equal Pay Act and Title VI, statistics show that women continue to be paid less for performing the same job as their male colleagues. On average, women earn just 78 cents for every dollar earned by a man. The Institute of Women's Policy Research has found that this wage disparity costs women anywhere from $400,000 to $2 million in lost wages over a lifetime. For this reason, the Congress passed, and the President signed, the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, restoring basic protections against pay discrimination for women and other workers.

Reproductive Choice

I believe strongly in a woman's right to make educated medical decisions regarding her reproductive health. Not only do I support a woman's right to choose, but also her ability to obtain legal pharmaceuticals such as emergency contraception and birth control. Women must be able to access health care without fear of harassment. The United States government has the responsibility to expand access to quality and affordable health care as well as the duty to protect women's rights.

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