Hoyer Statement on Women's History Month

WASHINGTON, DC – House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today marking the beginning of Women's History Month:

"Today marks the beginning of Women's History Month, in which we celebrate the tremendous achievements and contributions of women throughout our history. Women have always been at the forefront of efforts to create a safer, more resilient, more prosperous, and more equal America, even if not always fully recognized for those efforts. I'm proud that, in 2022, women are not only working tirelessly to help us meet the challenges we face but leading. With Vice President Kamala Harris making history for our nation, with more women than ever before serving in Congress and taking on leadership roles in the President's cabinet, with the first Black woman nominated last week to the Supreme Court, with women leading some of America's largest and most innovative businesses, and with women continuing to break ground as scientists and researchers, America is stronger because of women.

"I'm proud that House Democrats are leading efforts to expand opportunities for women and to combat gender discrimination. In addition to our work to close the gender wage gap by passing the Paycheck Fairness Act, a major part of that effort includes addressing the challenges posed to American women by the COVID-19 pandemic. It is important to recognize that the burden of caring for children, the elderly, and the sick still falls to women unevenly in our society, and the pandemic forced many women to sacrifice their careers to care for loved ones. Last year, Democrats and President Biden enacted the American Rescue Plan, which extended the expanded Child Tax Credit to help families make ends meet and help women stay in the workforce and return to their jobs. The Build Back Better Act we passed in November would further extend that popular tax credit while providing paid family leave and making child care more affordable for families across the country. That legislation also included provisions from the ‘Momnibus' bill introduced by the Congressional Black Maternal Health Caucus, of which I am proud to be a founding member, to address maternal health and close racial disparities in outcomes for Black mothers and their babies.

"I am also proud of the work Democrats have done in the House to close the reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act last March. We must continue to do more to ensure that law enforcement has all the tools it needs to protect Americans from domestic violence, stalking, and sexual assault and that survivors have the resources to heal. I urge the Senate to do the right thing by passing a reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act without further delay. Additionally, I am greatly disappointed to see Senate Republicans block consideration of the Women's Health Protection Act, which the House passed last year, to ensure that women have access to the full range of reproductive health care across our country. Women deserve the freedom to make their own decisions about health care, and House Democrats will continue to defend the right to reproductive choice and access to the full range of reproductive care.

"As we celebrate Women's History Month, let us reflect on the women who shaped our history and on those today who are leading our nation forward. We must work toward a future with equal access to economic opportunities, health care, and safety for all Americans."