Washington, DC — On Friday, February 7, leaders from the Democratic Women’s Caucus hosted a press conference to address the constant attacks on women and families by President Trump, Republicans, and Elon Musk since January 20. DWC Vice Chair Hillary Scholten (MI-03), Communications Task Force Co-Chair Shontel Brown (OH-11), Whip Nikema Williams (GA-05), Policy Task Force Co-Chair Deborah Ross (NC-02), Reproductive Health Care Task Force Co-Chair & Liaison Judy Chu (CA-28), Member April McClain Delaney (MD-06), Chair Emerita Lois Frankel (FL-22), and DWC Member Julia Brownley (CA-26) also affirmed that the Caucus will always stand and fight for women and families.
Since Trump took office, DWC members have heard from women and families in their communities, angry and scared about Trump’s actions. At the press conference, DWC Members shared stories of women and families in their communities, called out Trump, Republicans’ and Musk’s attacks, and pledged to continue the fight for families each day:
“The Democratic Women’s Caucus is here to tell our neighbors back home and across the country that we are united in our fight for you and your families here in Congress,” said DWC Vice Chair Hillary Scholten (MI-03). “The chaos of this Administration does nothing to help women and working families across the country. They think that by freezing federal funding and seizing independent agencies, taking money that was democratically allocated through Congress to help working families, that they are going to somehow help working families. They will distract us from the fact that they are nominating Cabinet picks who believe women don’t belong in the workforce, in voting booths, or military uniforms. But we’re paying attention. We see them, and we are calling out the injustice.”
“Elon Musk isn’t exposing ‘waste, fraud, and abuse’—he’s blocking spending he doesn’t like and breaking laws with no accountability. And when we tried to subpoena him, Republicans blocked it. This isn’t oversight—it’s a power grab. Meanwhile, in my district, families rely on Medicaid, Medicare, and school lunches not as ‘waste,’ but as lifelines. I will keep fighting for Northeast Ohio and communities like it.” said DWC Communications Task Force Co-Chair Shontel Brown (OH-11).
“The power to make decisions about our health, our bodies, and our futures must be OURS and ours alone—without the interference of politicians, or unelected billionaires,” said DWC Whip Nikema Williams (GA-05).
“The Democratic Women’s Caucus is fighting for an economy that works for women and families. We’re fighting to protect Medicaid so that every woman and child has quality health insurance and our seniors have nursing home care. We’re pushing to increase our investments in quality, affordable child care so that every child has a chance to succeed. And we’re working hard for policies that would ensure women earn a fair wage, workers have access to paid family leave, and parents can afford their childcare. We will not be silent while the President and his rich friends try to move our country backwards,” DWC Policy Task Force Co-Chair Deborah Ross (NC-02).
“If Musk remains within our government system, he could unilaterally freeze federal funds for programs that women and families rely on,” said DWC Reproductive Health Care Task Force Co-Chair & Liaison Judy Chu (CA-28). “He may have already stolen women’s private, personal data, including sensitive health information. He could turn off funding for new mothers to help feed their babies, funding designated for community health clinics that provide a full range of reproductive care to women, funding for SNAP benefits and school lunches that feed hungry kids. Women across America are relying on us to stand up for their rights, their benefits, and their privacy, and we will not stop until we get answers.”
“The women and children impacted by these executive actions are not just headlines–they are our family, friends, and neighbors. From NIH to NIST, our communities benefit from our incredible federal agencies and the work of their dedicated scientists and engineers. It was NIH scientists, driven by federal funding, who made the foundational discovery that helped develop the HPV vaccine, which has slashed infection rates by 64 percent and decreased cervical cancer rates significantly,” said DWC Member April McClain Delaney (MD-06). “There are better ways to increase the efficiency of our government without jeopardizing the lives of our mothers, sisters, wives, and daughters. Today and every day, we will stand up for women. We will fight–you have our word.”
“The Trump Administration’s reckless efforts to dismantle Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility programs within DOD, VA, and across the federal government, are putting the safety and well-being of our female servicemembers and veterans at risk,” said DWC Member Julia Brownley (CA-26). “Women in the military dedicate their lives to defending our nation, and these programs are essential to ensuring that all servicemembers and veterans—regardless of background—receive the gender-specific and culturally competent care they have earned and deserve. The Democratic Women’s Caucus will keep fighting for women and families, securing the care, support, and opportunities they deserve, in the face of relentless attacks from Trump, Republicans, and Elon Musk.”
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Issues: 119th Congress