Blazing the trail. Breaking new ground. Making history.
That's exactly how our women in Congress have been described and, even though we know it's true, it sure is great when others take notice of their incredible work.
Today, Politico ran a great piece about women in the Senate. Calling them "the magnificent seven," the article outlines exactly how much has changed since Sen. Barbara Mikulski (MD) became the first Democratic woman elected in her own right in 1986. Mikulski, the first woman EMILY's List helped elect, joined the Senate when there were no women's restrooms in the Senate Chamber, the gym was for men only, and the two women senators were both called "little lady."
Now, Mikulski serves unofficially as the "dean" of women in the Senate, and that means leading the way for many of her colleagues and mentoring new women senators (like the freshman we helped elect last year, Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire and Kay Hagan of North Carolina, along with the newest woman member, Kirsten Gillibrand of New York).
And, as the article points out, women in the Senate haven't only grown in numbers; they've also gained remarkable influence. Women lead five of the Senate's 20 committees. As the conference secretary, Sen. Patty Murray (WA) is the fourth highest-ranking Democrat, and Mikulski is the 17th highest-ranking member of the Senate.
“Women senators are not a caucus; we’re a force,” said Mikulski.
They sure are -- but that doesn't mean our work is over. Women in the Senate are making huge strides, but they still comprise only 17 percent of the Senate. Based on what we've accomplished together in the last 24 years, it's amazing to think what the next 24 will bring.
At EMILY's List, we believe that electing women to office is critical for creating a more representative, progressive democracy. And with women at the table, our issues are a top priority.
This week, that couldn't have been clearer.
EMILY's List women of the Senate took center stage this week, speaking about the essential ways in which health care reform will benefit the country's women. From the House floor to Larry King Live, these women senators spoke out for women across America, describing the obstacles to care many women face.
Here's a great video, highlighting moments from their speeches on the Senate floor.
Here are just a few quotes you won't want to miss, including Sen. Amy Klobuchar's personal health care story after the birth of her daughter.
“I was up all night in labor, up all day trying to figure out what was wrong with her, and they literally kicked me out of the hospital... My husband wheeled me out in a wheelchair because at that point in our country’s history, they had a rule. It was called drive-by births, that when a mom gave birth she had to get kicked out of the hospital in 24 hours.”
--Sen. Amy Klobuchar (MN)
“[I]n all but 12 states, insurance companies are allowed to charge women more than they charge men for coverage. The great irony here is that mothers, the people who care for us when we’re sick, are penalized under our current system.”
--Sen. Kay Hagan (NC)
“For the women in these plans, or who are attempting to get insurance, no amount of money can buy maternity care that they need.”
--Sen. Debbie Stabenow (MI)
“Only 14 states in America require insurance companies to cover maternity care. Imagine, in a country that puts family values first, only 14 states."
--Sen. Barbara Boxer (CA)
"It's shocking to think that, in today's America, over half of this country could be discriminated against."
--Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (NY)
“It’s time to end the insurance discrimination that women face.”
--Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (NH)
Yesterday, four EMILY's List alums -- Senators Amy Klobuchar, Barbara Mikulski, Kay Hagan, and Jeanne Shaheen -- held a press conference focused on impact of health care reform on women. Of course, we already knew that women were central to the health care debate -- and that the women we've helped elect are playing a crucial role in ensuring reform efforts address women's concerns.
Many women face incredible challenges when trying to get coverage, including outrageous claims by some insurers that "pre-existing conditions" should include domestic violence or pregnancies. It's more expensive for women to get health care coverage than men -- so much so that a 22-year-old female stands to be charged up to one and a half times more than the premium for a 22-year-old male. Women also need more frequent contact with their health care providers, due in part to needing more specific care, like mammograms and obstetric care.
Thankfully, our ladies in the Senate are doing something about it. They're working to correct the imbalance between men's and women's health care coverage costs and are working to ensure that women have access to the entire range of reproductive health choices, including expanding insurance coverage of maternity care.
Here are quotes you shouldn't miss:
"When it comes to health insurance, women pay more but get less for our money. We women must end punitive insurance company practices that discriminate against women simply because we are women – practices that say domestic violence or c-sections are pre-existing conditions or that deny coverage for maternity care or basic preventive services and screenings. Just as the women of the Senate fought for equal pay for equal work when we passed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, we are fighting for equal health care for equal premiums in health reform."
--Sen. Barbara Mikulski (MD)
"As a former prosecutor I am particularly appalled that in 8 states and the District of Columbia domestic violence is classified as a pre-existing condition. Health care reform must ensure that all women have access to preventative services and maternity care, and that health care that doesn't use 'pre-existing conditions' as a way to deny women care."
--Sen. Amy Klobuchar (MN)
"For too many women and their families today, quality, affordable health care is out of reach. Men and women have very different health care needs, and women are more vulnerable to high costs. We must level the playing field, and pass comprehensive health care reform that makes health care accessible and affordable for all women."
--Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (NH)
"Without health care reform, insurance companies will continue to discriminate against women. Charging women more for coverage and denying comprehensive maternity care are just two of the common insurance company practices. The Senate is working on sending the President a reform bill that ensures women are treated fairly, expands coverage, and provides security and stability to people who have health insurance."
--Sen. Kay Hagan (NC)
For many students, better grades means better attendance at school -- and Senators Amy Klobuchar (MN) and Kay Hagan (NC) are ready to do something about it.
Last week, the senators joined together to cosponsor legislation aimed at combating truancy nationwide, emphasizing the importance of targeting younger students than traditional programs. While some federal programs are aimed at high school students, Klobuchar said that truancy patterns often begin in middle school and early contact is the best means of prevention.
And the effects of staying in school are far-reaching, from better future job prospects to a decreased likelihood of criminal activity. "Truancy is sometimes called the ‘kindergarten of crime’ because it’s an early risk factor for many other kinds of trouble, including criminal behavior," Klobuchar said in a statement last week. "I believe that reducing truancy is one of the surest ways to prevent crime, keep our communities safe and help our young people succeed in life.”
Called the “Student Attendance Success Act," the program would be part of the reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind legislation. Klobuchar noted that lack of funding has been a major obstacle for the legislation, and she said it will be important to make major changes when the bill is up for debate this year.
“High expectations are good for our students, and strong accountability is good for our schools. But to get the job done, we need to make sure that No Child Left Behind is measuring the right things and providing the resources to do it.”
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