How Many Women Are in Congress in 2019?
5 Ways the Wave of Women in Congress Could Change Politics For the Better
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According to a Rewire report from 2017, the overwhelming majority of anti-choice legislation in state legislatures was introduced by white Republican men, who are also often the architects of Planned Parenthood defunding efforts and witch hunt investigations. The election of more pro-choice, Democratic women means more advocates for women's reproductive rights, and more legislators who understand the common barriers everyday women and girls face to receive care.
Additionally, the incoming class of Congress boasts more members than ever who say they oppose the Hyde amendment, a discriminatory federal law banning federal funding of elective abortions that has been in effect since 1976. While restrictions on abortion care often only make the process of receiving care more dangerous and difficult, the Hyde amendment has been successful in stopping one in four low-income women from receiving abortion care.
Women's focus on issues of health care and family leave will also disproportionately help women, and in the case of family leave, could also be key to addressing the gender wage gap.
Arguably most important of all, the historic numbers of women in the 116th Congress could inspire more women who previously wouldn't have imagined getting involved in politics to step off the sidelines. More women were elected to Congress than ever before this year, and hopefully, this is the start of a new trend — and a new way of doing politics in America.