House Democratic Women Launch Organization to Support Female Candidates in the “Year of the Woman”

Washington, DC — Today, leading female Members of Congress announced the launch of “Elect Democratic Women,” a new organization inspired by the “Year of the Woman,” to elect more pro-choice Democratic women to Congress than ever before, as well as build a base of support to ensure female incumbents are re-elected in the years to come.

While 51% of Americans are female, only one in five Members of Congress are women. Elect Democratic Women was formed out of a recognition that women bring a unique and vital perspective to solving the urgent challenges facing American women and their families, and that by electing more Democratic women to Congress, we will have a more fair, just, and equitable society for all Americans.

Chaired by Congresswoman Lois Frankel (D-FL) this cycle, the organization is raising funds for women candidates within the DCCC’s Red to Blue program like Mikie Sherrill, Lauren Underwood, and Katie Hill. Frankel is joined by Reps. Joyce Beatty (D-OH), Julia Brownley (D-CA), Cheri Bustos (D-IL), Katherine Clark (D-MA), Annie Kuster (D-NH), and Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA) in initiating this effort.

“Diversity is a cornerstone of our democracy and right now, only 20 percent of Congress is female. We need our elected officials to better reflect our country and we can do that by electing more women who will bring different perspectives and experiences, thus making better decisions for American families,” said Congresswoman Frankel, Chair of Elect Democratic Women.

The diverse group of Democratic women heading up this effort understand the unique ability women have to be effective change-makers, with each serving as a leader in the House. Frankel is the Chair of the Democratic Women’s Working Group, Beatty is a Regional Whip, Bustos leads the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee, Clark Co-Chairs the DCCC Red to Blue program, and Brownley, Kuster, and Roybal-Allard are each Subcommittee Ranking Members. The group is reaching out to expand participation to other Congressional members.

“I am working hard in Congress to make sure women not only have a seat at the table, but are leading the conversation,” said Congresswoman Beatty. “How can Congress be ‘truly representative’ of America, if we do not have more female voices in Congress? In that spirit, I am proud to join my fellow Democratic Congresswomen to launch the ‘Elect Democratic Women’ campaign and to help solve the critical issues important to women, their children and families, including affordable childcare, high-quality healthcare, and pay equity. That’s because when women succeed, America succeeds!”

“The more women we elect, the more Members of Congress will understand the unique challenges faced by women, including the fast-growing population of female veterans,” said Congresswoman Brownley. “From ensuring gender-specific care is available at every VA, to mental health care specifically tailored to their needs — we need to ensure women veterans get the support they’ve earned and deserve. I know the Democratic women we’re supporting — some
of whom are veterans themselves — will be there with us in that fight.”

“Running for office is hard, but if we want to make real progress on the issues that matter most to women, we need more women at the table,” said Congresswoman Bustos. “I’m proud to be working with my friends and colleagues to help bring the next generation of strong Democratic female leaders to Congress. With women making just 20 percent of Congress, we have our work cut out for us, but we will never stop fighting to ensure that women make their voices
heard in Washington.”

“When women have a seat at the table, different issues land at the top of the priority list, like the growing cost of high quality child care,” said Congresswoman Clark. “Right now, moms represent nearly two thirds of women in the workforce and child care is comparable to the price of a month’s rent. Tackling this issue means ensuring the success of our children and the stability of families.”

“I’m excited to join with my colleagues in working to elect more democratic women to Congress,” said Congresswoman Kuster. “Women know how to reach across the aisle and forge compromise to break through the dysfunction and gridlock in Washington. If we can elect more women it will benefit families and communities across the country.”

“As a Member elected to the House in the 1992 Year of the Woman, I believe the House and Senate still have a long way
to go to look like the American public in order to more effectively represent their interests,” said Congresswoman Roybal-Allard. “One of the best ways is by electing more Democratic women, particularly Democratic women of color to federal office.”

Learn more at ElectDemocraticWomen.org.