Women & Families

While our country has made great strides toward women’s equality, there is more to be done. Women are not getting an equal share and full opportunity to participate in our economy. That is why I am working to expand women’s rights, especially when it comes to equal pay for equal work, a woman’s ability to make her own healthcare decisions, and pushing for stronger economic opportunity.

I am proud to have the support of the National Organization of Women PAC, Washington State Federation of Democratic Women (WSFDW), and Whatcom County Democratic Women's Club. I have voted repeatedly to protect women’s health care by standing with Planned Parenthood and the women who rely on the organization for their health care. I believe decisions about health care should remain between a woman and her doctor.

The time is long overdue for women to receive equal pay for equal work. There’s no better place to start than by raising the minimum wage. In addition to working to raise the minimum wage in Congress to $15 per hour, I support Washington Initiative 1433, a proposal that would increase Washington State’s minimum wage to $13.50 an hour by 2020, and establish paid sick and safe leave benefits for all workers. I am also proud to have cosponsored the Paycheck Fairness Act and Pregnant Workers Fairness Act to help end discrimination against women and mothers in the workplace.

At some point, nearly every person needs to take time away from work for a serious illness, injury, or to care for a child or family member. No one should have to choose between a paycheck and caring for themselves or someone they love. That is why I support the Family and Medical Insurance Leave Act. This bill would establish a national paid family and medical leave insurance program and ensure that workers can take paid family and medical leave when they need it. I also support paid sick leave. That is why I am a cosponsor of the Healthy Families Act that would require employers to provide up to seven days of paid sick leave for workers to care for themselves or a family member.

Additionally, I support the Schedules that Work Act that would provide flexible, predictable and stable work schedules, as well as the Strong Start Act that would give workers access to high-quality early-learning opportunities and more affordable child care. Both of these bills would create stability at home and make it easier to plan for personal, family and loved ones needs.

The 2nd District is no stranger to issues of domestic violence and sexual assault. I was the original cosponsor of the House version of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act, and will continue to support efforts to increase resources for women in need, programs to support children in the midst of violent households, and opportunities to highlight prevention and intervention in our schools.