Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues--
106th Congress
Twenty-two years after the Caucus' founding, its membership has grown from 15 to 55. These Congresswomen are nearly as diverse as the constituency of women they represent. They come from 24 states, the District of Columbia, and the Virgin Islands; they are African American, Latina, Asian American, and Caucasian. Together, these 55 women bring to Congress a wealth of experience as mayors, state legislators, businesswomen, lawyers, doctors, nurses, educators, community activists, mothers, and grandmothers.
The Caucus' initial legislative agenda for the 106th Congress was unveiled at a press conference held on July 15, 2000. Work on the agenda continued, with the release of a revised version in November 2000.
The following Caucus-backed initiatives were enacted:
Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (H.R. 1248) Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Act (H.R. 4386) Medicare Coverage for Medical Nutrition Therapy Services (H.R. 1187) Lupus Research and Care Amendments of 1999 (H.R. 762) United Nations Population Fund Funding Act (H.R. 895) Folic Acid Promotion and Birth Defects Prevention Act (H.R. 2538) Right to Breastfeed Act (H.R. 1848) Child Abuse and Prevention Enforcement Act (H.R. 764) Stalking Prevention and Victim Protection Act (H.R. 1869) Hillory J. Farias Date-Rape Prevention Drug Act (H.R. 2130) Battered Immigrant Women Protection Act (H.R. 3083) A bill to provide for greater access to child care services for federal employees (H.R. 206) Military Dependents Communications Confidentiality Act (H.R. 1847) Veterans Millenium Health Care Act (H.R. 2116) PRIME Act (H.R. 413) Women's Business Sustainability Act (H.R. 1497)
Congressional action occurred on the following Caucus-backed initiatives:
Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Victims' Housing Act (H.R. 1352) Genetic Information Nondiscrimination in Health Insurance Act (H.R. 306) Cervical Cancer Public Awareness Resolution (H. Con. Res. 64) Access to Women's Health Care Act (H.R. 1806) Postpartum Depression Resolution (H. J. Res. 163) Improved Maternal and Children's Health Coverage Act (H.R. 847) Healthy Kids Act (H.R. 1085) A bill to improve the National Writing Program (H.R. 1456) Gifted and Talented Students Education Act (H.R. 637) Social Security Resolution (H. J. Res. 32) Women-Owned Businesses Resolution (H. Res. 15) America's Better Classroom Act of 2000 (H.R. 4094) Marriage Tax Elimination Act (H.R. 6) Comprehensive Retirement Security and Pension Reform Act (H.R. 1102)
As in years past, the members of the Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues (CCWI) divided themselves into legislative teams, with most co-chaired by a Republican and a Democrat. The 10 teams were charged with advancing action on their designated issues in a bipartisan manner.
Violence Against Women and Safety Issues, co-chaired by Reps. Connie Morella (R-MD) and Julia Carson (D-IN).
Women's Health, co-chaired by Reps. Louise Slaughter (D-NY) and Sue Kelly (R-NY).
Equal Opportunity, chaired by Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC).
Education, co-chaired by Reps. Judy Biggert (R-IL) and Lois Capps (D-CA).
Safe Motherhood, co-chaired by Reps. Nita Lowey (D-NY) and Morella.
Older Women's Health, co-chaired by Reps. Carrie Meek (D-FL) and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL).
Children's Issues and Child Care, chaired by Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX).
Retirement, co-chaired by Reps. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) and Kay Granger (R-TX).
Women in the Military/Women Veterans, co-chaired by Reps. Corrine Brown (D-FL) and Tillie Fowler (R-FL).
Women in Business, co-chaired by Reps. Kelly and Grace Napolitano (D-CA).
Tax Policy, co-chaired by Reps. Karen Thurman (D-FL) and Nancy Johnson (R-CT).
Click here for a complete listing of the Caucus' agenda for the 106th Congress.
