House Democratic Women's Caucus Briefing: Government Shutdown, Budget Cuts, and Women's Rights

Acknowledging a Fallen Colleague

• 😔 The briefing began with a tribute to Chairman Galva, remembered as a fierce advocate for indigenous peoples, environmental justice, and the planet.
• ✨ His commitment to those in need and the environment serves as an inspiration for the work of the Democratic Women's Caucus.

Republican Budget as a "Partisan Attack"

• 🎯 The House Republicans are criticized for passing a funding bill described as a "partisan attack on women and children" by walking away from ongoing negotiations.
• 💔 This bill is seen as detrimental to women's health, children's welfare, veterans, and essential programs like Medicaid and the Department of Education.
• 🇺🇸 The caucus emphasizes that women are motivated by a desire to secure a better future for children and ensure they can achieve the American dream through quality education and healthcare.

"Gaslighting" and Medicaid Cuts

• 💡 The term "gaslighting" is used to describe the Republican approach, particularly concerning potential cuts to Medicaid, despite claims that Medicaid is not mentioned in the resolution.
• 💰 Calculations suggest that proposed budget cuts necessitate significant reductions in Medicaid, impacting women and children disproportionately.
• 🏥 Medicaid is crucial for women, as many rely on it for healthcare, including prenatal care and support for children, and for services like early breast cancer detection.

Threats to Education and Veterans

• 📚 The administration is accused of waging a "cruel war on public education," aiming to close the Department of Education and privatize schools.
• 🎖️ Concerns are raised about proposed cuts to veterans' healthcare, particularly funding related to toxic chemical exposure and burn pits, which is seen as a betrayal of those who served.

Fighting for Women and Families

• ✊ The Democratic Women's Caucus, the largest and most diverse group of Democratic women in history, is fighting back against these proposed cuts and dismantling of federal programs.
• ⚖️ Recent court rulings in California and Maryland have sided with federal workers, stating that indiscriminate firings of probationary employees were illegal.
• 📢 The caucus vows to continue fighting for the American people, workers, veterans, and women, emphasizing that they stand with constituents and will not back down.

Encouraging Women in Politics

• 🗳️ The briefing highlighted the importance of women running for office, noting the significant increase in female candidates and elected officials in recent years.
• 💪 Women are encouraged to run, drawing on their inherent expertise in areas like consumer protection, education, and healthcare, and to believe in their own agency and ability to lead.