CONGRESSMAN CHRIS VAN HOLLEN
Maryland’s 8th District
For Immediate Release
August 26, 2015
CONTACT: Bridgett Frey – 202-225-5384
Ian Jannetta – 202-225-1527
Van Hollen Statement on Women’s Equality Day
Washington, DC – Today Maryland Congressman Chris Van Hollen released the following statement in recognition of Women’s Equality Day:
“Today we celebrate all who have fought for women’s equality and continue to push forward along this unfinished journey. Those who led the fight for women’s suffrage knew that gaining equality required not just an amendment to our constitution, but an enduring movement toward a more just and free nation.
“That movement is still alive today, and many critical issues must still be addressed to ensure the success of all women. That is why I’ve consistently put forward a budget built on the premise that when women succeed, America succeeds. While progress has been made on closing the gender pay gap, we still don’t have equal pay for equal work. We need stronger measures to prevent and protect women from domestic violence. We need to support working families by guaranteeing paid sick leave. And, at long last, we need to join virtually every other developed nation and offer paid maternity leave.
“If left to their own devices, Washington Republicans would turn back the clock on the progress we’ve made. Most recently, Congressional Republicans are working to limit women’s access to health care and threatening to shut down the government over funding for Planned Parenthood – an organization that provides health care to millions of women around the country. I will fight that effort at every turn and continue to march ever forward for women’s equality.”