Washington, DC – DNC Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz released the following statement on the commemoration of Hispanic Heritage Month:

“Today begins our celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month and the long history of invaluable contributions that Hispanic Americans have made to our nation. From the earliest settlement at St. Augustine through generations of immigrants, Hispanics have played an integral role in building America into what it is today.

“While the Democratic Party is committed to policies that ensure opportunity for all Americans, including the Hispanic community, Republicans are more interested in expanding opportunity for only a select few.

“As we honor the legacy of Hispanics in the United States, the Democratic Party will continue to support policies that work for Hispanics like equal pay for women – a problem that disproportionately affects Latina women. We will continue to support investments in the educational opportunities that build ladders to the middle class for younger generations, and to pursue comprehensive immigration reform that opens doors for those compelled to pursue the American dream. We remain committed to fighting for the wellbeing of the Hispanic community and making sure Hispanics voices are heard.”

Washington, DC – DNC Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz released the following statement on tomorrow marking the 20th Anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act:

“Twenty years ago, due to the leadership of then Senator Joe Biden and countless others, the Violence Against Women Act put in place critical protections that have held violent offenders accountable and extended services to victims of such crimes.

“Despite the legislation’s success and the broad bipartisan support it has enjoyed for most of the last two decades, Republicans fought and delayed the law’s most recent reauthorization. I am proud that the Democratic Party was insistent on strengthening VAWA’s protections despite opposition from a majority of Republicans.

“Unfortunately, far too many women continue to be subjected to violence and rape, including the brave women who choose to serve our country in our nation’s military and the future leaders who live on our college campuses. The horrific video that emerged this week should serve as a reminder that violence against women remains a real and persistent problem, and despite the progress we’ve made through legislation like VAWA it’s clear we have so much more to do. While we continue to fight to make sure that all women are able to live free from the fear of violence, we must also ensure that survivors of crimes are able to access the services they need to recover and rebuild and that they are empowered to speak out when such violence occurs.

“The Democratic Party is committed to supporting policies that protect and promote the well-being of women and their families and today, we honor and acknowledge this twentieth anniversary of VAWA with them in mind.”

Washington, DC – DNC Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz released the following statement on tomorrow marking the 20th Anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act:

“Twenty years ago, due to the leadership of then Senator Joe Biden and countless others, the Violence Against Women Act put in place critical protections that have held violent offenders accountable and extended services to victims of such crimes.

“Despite the legislation’s success and the broad bipartisan support it has enjoyed for most of the last two decades, Republicans fought and delayed the law’s most recent reauthorization. I am proud that the Democratic Party was insistent on strengthening VAWA’s protections despite opposition from a majority of Republicans.

“Unfortunately, far too many women continue to be subjected to violence and rape, including the brave women who choose to serve our country in our nation’s military and the future leaders who live on our college campuses. The horrific video that emerged this week should serve as a reminder that violence against women remains a real and persistent problem, and despite the progress we’ve made through legislation like VAWA it’s clear we have so much more to do. While we continue to fight to make sure that all women are able to live free from the fear of violence, we must also ensure that survivors of crimes are able to access the services they need to recover and rebuild and that they are empowered to speak out when such violence occurs.

“The Democratic Party is committed to supporting policies that protect and promote the well-being of women and their families and today, we honor and acknowledge this twentieth anniversary of VAWA with them in mind.”

Washington, DC – DNC Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz released the following statement on the Anniversary of September 11th:

“Five years ago, Congress designated today as the September 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance. Thus, one of the darkest days in our nation’s history is instead an embrace of what is best about America.

“This is one of the defining characteristics of America and the American people. When faced with an enemy or challenge that attempts to tear us down, we come together and rebuild even better than before. And as the President laid out last night, we will continue to face our enemies head on, to secure our safety at home and the safety of our allies around the world. Though the process of rebuilding may be long and difficult, we emerge stronger. Earlier this year, speaking at the dedication of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, President Obama called on those gathered to ‘reaffirm the true spirit of 9/11 — love, compassion, sacrifice — and to enshrine it forever in the heart of our nation.’

“As the Chair of the Democratic National Committee, I recognize that there will be disagreements between Democrats and Republicans that warrant a healthy debate. But when our nation is attacked, on American soil or abroad, those differences should be set aside. We remember those we’ve lost, seek justice against our enemies, and work to prevent future attacks.

“Thirteen years ago, an unthinkable tragedy reminded us that what binds us together is far greater than what draws us apart. We would be well served to keep that in mind as our nation faces the challenges before us.”

Washington, DC – DNC Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz released the following statement on tonight’s primary results:

“The next eight weeks will provide a stark contrast between the priorities of the Democratic and Republican parties. Democrats have nominated candidates who will fight to ensure opportunity for all Americans, while Republicans remain beholden to special interests and an extreme Tea Party agenda.

“Massachusetts Democrats have nominated Martha Coakley, who has demonstrated her ability and willingness to fight for the people of Massachusetts as a District Attorney and as the Commonwealth’s first female Attorney General. She will face Charlie Baker, who slashed jobs and put personal profit ahead of what was best for the people of Massachusetts as a health insurance executive. Baker also faces troubling ethical questions surrounding his connection to a possible pay-to-play scandal involving Chris Christie’s administration in New Jersey.

“And next door in New Hampshire, former Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown’s treatment of New Hampshire's Senate seat as a consolation prize is confirmation that he doesn’t care which state’s voters elect him as long as he can continue to represent Big Oil and Wall Street special interests. Jeanne Shaheen is New Hampshire through and through, and veterans, students, and women and their families know that she will continue to represent their voices in the Senate.

“I would also like to congratulate all the Democrats nominated tonight who will fight for middle-class families, including Governor Andrew Cuomo and Gina Raimondo, who is poised to become the first female governor of Rhode Island. Come Election Day, voters will have a clear choice of which party is on their side.”

Washington, DC – DNC Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz released the following statement in celebration of Labor Day:

“Today, many Americans will celebrate Labor Day with their friends and families. Countless others will go to work and do their job just like any other day.

“Every American worker has contributed to building America into what it is today and what it can be in the future. But one Monday in September is not sufficient recognition of their contributions. There is no good reason why any American who works hard day in and day out should have to raise their family in poverty. With women acting as the primary breadwinner in 40 percent of households with children, unequal pay hurts women, their families, and our economy.

“Organized labor in America is responsible for securing many of the workplace standards and protections that we take for granted, from child labor to weekends. I am proud that the Democratic Party is working with American workers to achieve the next set of policies that hardworking Americans deserve, including an increased minimum wage, paycheck fairness, and improved family and medical leave policies. Republicans have not only opposed these policies, but sought to diminish the capacity of unions to represent the interests of workers.

“This year marks 120 years since Labor Day was first recognized as a federal holiday in 1894. In that time, we’ve made extraordinary progress to restore to workers the dignity to which each of us is entitled. It is critical that our nation remain steadfast in that commitment moving forward if we are to be an America where economic security and opportunity are available to all.”

Republicans are out of touch, and now they have the data to prove it. Earlier this week, Politico released details of a survey funded in part by Karl Rove’s PAC. Here are our three key takeaways from the research (not that we expect them to change the GOP’s attitudes toward women).

1. Republicans “fail to speak to women in the different circumstances in which they live.”

Republicans’ research found that women “believe that ‘enforcing equal pay for equal work’ is the policy that would ‘help women the most.’” Women still make just 77 cents for every dollar earned by a man, adding up to over $430,000 in lost compensation on average in a lifetime. By repeatedly voting against policies to ensure that women receive equal pay, the report warns, “Republicans who openly deny the legitimacy of the issue will be seen as out of touch with women’s life experiences.”

2. Republicans are “stuck in the past.”

The women polled for the report described Republicans as “intolerant” and “lacking in compassion.” In an effort to change this image, the GOP wants to, in the words of the study, “pursue policy innovations that inspire women voters to give the GOP a ‘fresh look.’” Suggestions included “strengthening enforcement against gender bias in the workplace.” The only problem? We’re still waiting for Republicans to join us in supporting the Paycheck Fairness Act!

3. The GOP isn’t changing their position; they’re changing the subject.

When it comes to addressing the issues that matter to women the most, Republicans are quick to change the subject. The research concludes that when it comes to tough issues like reproductive health, Republican leaders should “deal honestly with any disagreement on abortion, then move to other issues.” But Republicans aren’t moving on – they’re committing time and taxpayer money to restricting access to reproductive health care. That’s time they could be spending on policies that help working families, like raising the minimum wage, expanding access to paid sick leave, and making childcare more affordable.

There are less than ten weeks until Election Day. Share this article to keep the conversation going, and make sure your friends and family vote: 

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Republicans are out of touch, and now they have the data to prove it. Earlier this week, Politico released details of a survey funded in part by Karl Rove’s PAC. Here are our three key takeaways from the research (not that we expect them to change the GOP’s attitudes toward women).

1. Republicans “fail to speak to women in the different circumstances in which they live.”

Republicans’ research found that women “believe that ‘enforcing equal pay for equal work’ is the policy that would ‘help women the most.’” Women still make just 77 cents for every dollar earned by a man, adding up to over $430,000 in lost compensation on average in a lifetime. By repeatedly voting against policies to ensure that women receive equal pay, the report warns, “Republicans who openly deny the legitimacy of the issue will be seen as out of touch with women’s life experiences.”

2. Republicans are “stuck in the past.”

The women polled for the report described Republicans as “intolerant” and “lacking in compassion.” In an effort to change this image, the GOP wants to, in the words of the study, “pursue policy innovations that inspire women voters to give the GOP a ‘fresh look.’” Suggestions included “strengthening enforcement against gender bias in the workplace.” The only problem? We’re still waiting for Republicans to join us in supporting the Paycheck Fairness Act!

3. The GOP isn’t changing their position; they’re changing the subject.

When it comes to addressing the issues that matter to women the most, Republicans are quick to change the subject. The research concludes that when it comes to tough issues like reproductive health, Republican leaders should “deal honestly with any disagreement on abortion, then move to other issues.” But Republicans aren’t moving on – they’re committing time and taxpayer money to restricting access to reproductive health care. That’s time they could be spending on policies that help working families, like raising the minimum wage, expanding access to paid sick leave, and making childcare more affordable.

There are less than ten weeks until Election Day. Share this article to keep the conversation going, and make sure your friends and family vote: 

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Washington, DC – DNC Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz released the following statement on tonight’s primary results:

“I would like to congratulate all of the Democratic candidates who won their primary contest tonight, including the next governor of Florida, Charlie Crist, and the next lieutenant governor of Florida, Annette Taddeo. Over the course of this campaign, Charlie and Annette have embraced policies that will help Florida’s middle class families, a stark contrast to the current governor, Republican Rick Scott, who is beholden to special interests and radical Tea Party ideology.

“After overseeing the largest Medicare fraud in history, it is ironic that as governor, Scott has notably failed to secure federal funding for Medicaid expansion. He has cut over $1 billion from Florida’s public schools, and oversaw tuition hikes at Florida’s colleges and universities while making cuts to the Bright Futures scholarship program. His climate change denialism ignores the serious risks that rising sea levels and severe weather pose to Florida’s communities and our economy. Scott has offered the Hispanic community little more than platitudes and pandering. To add insult to injury, he refuses to answer the most basic questions, let alone face Florida’s toughest challenges.

“Charlie and Annette join Democratic candidates throughout Florida and across the country who are committed to expanding opportunity for all Americans. Republicans, especially those like Scott, have demonstrated that their priorities are instead focused on the select few. Come November, Florida voters will reject the failed policies of Rick Scott and welcome a new day for the Sunshine State.”

Washington, DC – DNC Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz released the following statement in celebration of Women’s Equality Day:

“Today we celebrate Women’s Equality Day, the 94th anniversary of the certification of the 19th amendment guaranteeing women the right to vote. Since our nation’s founding, the struggle to form a more perfect union has moved America forward. The 19th amendment is among the steps our nation has taken towards greater equality by ensuring that more Americans are able to make their voice heard.

“Unfortunately, Republican actions at the state and federal level threaten to undo the progress our nation has made. Last year, the Supreme Court gutted a key component of the Voting Rights Act. Republican governors and state legislatures have moved to restrict early voting periods and enact policies like voter ID that make it harder to vote. These policies disproportionately affect women, as well as young people and people of color.

“The right to vote is fundamental for women to elect officials who share their priorities. I am proud that the Democratic Party is fighting for paycheck fairness and to defend a woman’s right to make her own health care decisions. In light of Republican opposition to these policies, this anniversary is a reminder that the key to expanding opportunities for women is to empower women at the ballot box.”