In Congress, as a steadfast advocate for women and families, David Cicilline is promoting policies that enhance economic opportunity and health outcomes for Rhode Islanders. Even as Senate Republicans refuse to guarantee women equal pay for equal work, David is there time and again to stand up for what’s right. He has championed the Paycheck Fairness Act, which passed the House in 2021 and would put an end to the economic injustice where women on average earn 80 cents for every dollar a man earns. And, with women representing nearly two-thirds of minimum wage earners, David advocated for passage of the Raise the Wage Act, legislation that will increase the federal minimum wage, provide a higher minimum wage for tipped workers, and remove politics from future minimum wage increases by indexing it to median wage growth.

For the forty percent of families with working mothers as the primary wage earner in the household, David knows how important it is to advance policies that allow for greater life-work balance. That is why he is a strong proponent of legislation like the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, giving women vital workplace protections so they no longer have to choose between their job and the health of their family and pregnancy. And, because so many Rhode Islanders will need to take time off from work at some point in their career to care for a family member or newborn, David is supporting the Family and Medical Insurance Leave (FAMILY) Act – legislation that will help ensure families don’t have to sacrifice a paycheck to care for the ones they love.

David also knows we need to stand up for more than just the economic health of women and families. As a vocal proponent of commonsense legislation to end gun violence, like the Zero Tolerance for Domestic Abusers Act, David is working to close loopholes in our gun laws that allow domestic abusers and stalkers to access guns. As a member of House Democratic leadership, Cicilline and his colleagues passed the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, which included important improvements to address gaps in protections for survivors of domestic violence. David has also been a staunch advocate in defense of the Affordable Care Act, so women are never again denied health coverage because of pre-existing conditions like breast cancer, or dropped from their insurance if they become sick or pregnant. And, in Congress, David has fought against Republican efforts to defund Planned Parenthood, a vital resource providing access to reproductive health care for thousands of women.

David supports the right of a woman to make her own healthcare decisions, and he is appalled by the recent radical decision by the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade. David was a cosponsor of the Women’s Health Protection Act, legislation to codify a woman’s right to choose, which passed the House in September 2021. He is actively advocating for the Senate to pass the legislation. David is proud that Rhode Island protects a woman’s right to choose at the State level, but knows we must ensure that this right is extended to every woman across the country, no matter where they live.