Women's Issues
EQUAL PAY, EQUAL RIGHTS, REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM
“I am proud to be a strong supporter of women's issues in the Senate. As a father of two daughters, I care about the concerns of Wisconsin women. I believe in the principle of gender equality, and have taken the lead in addressing issues affecting women's health and women in the workplace.
I also support the Supreme Court's decision in Roe v. Wade to uphold a woman's right to reproductive freedom. I believe that abortions should be rare, legal, and safe.
We must also consider the challenges facing women abroad. Women in the developing world are more likely to live in poverty, suffer from malnutrition, and lack access to education. Despite the expansion of women's health care research and practices in the last two decades, women still have unequal access to these services.”
- Senator Russ Feingold
Supporting the Family and Medical Leave Act - Russ fought for and helped pass the Family and Medical Leave Act. Over two-thirds of all women with children work full-time and over one quarter of all children in the United States live with single parents. Millions of three-generation households now care for elderly parents, and approximately one million women care for their parents and their children while working full-time. For these families, the Family and Medical Leave Act provides short-term job security in times of family or medical emergencies. If a person needs time off to care for a new child or to care for a sick child, spouse, or elderly parent, under this law that person's job and potential health insurance will be secure.
Working to Increase Career Opportunities - Russ fought for federal funding of the Wisconsin Women's Business Initiative Corporation. This organization provides financial and technical business development assistance to female entrepreneurs. Russ also fought for a Nontraditional Employment for Women (NEW) grant for the state of Wisconsin. This program aids in the placement of women in nontraditional jobs.
Contributing to the Fight Against Breast Cancer – In the Senate, Russ helped pass legislation which has increased funding for breast cancer research responsibly by offering special postage stamps that cost one cent more than regular stamps.
Russ also fought for millions of dollars in new breast cancer research from an unlikely source: the Department of Defense. The Army Breast Cancer Research Program is a valuable resource in the fight against this terrible disease that strikes millions of American women every year.
Fighting for Veterans – Russ was successful in passing legislation requiring a study of mental health care for female servicemembers and veterans in an effort to ensure that the newest generation of women in the military get the mental health care they’ve earned through their service to our country.
Ending Coercion and Sexual Harassment - Many businesses deny victims of sexual harassment the opportunity to fight back by requiring new employees to forfeit their right to sue as a condition of employment. By introducing the Protection from Coercive Employment Act, Russ is working to stop this unfair practice and protect women from the humiliation of sexual harassment.
Defending Reproductive Freedoms - Abortions should be rare, safe and legal – Russ trusts the women of Wisconsin to make this decision, not the government.
Recognition of Feingold’s Record - Planned Parenthood has awarded Senator Feingold a perfect 100% approval rating numerous times for his votes on family planning. The women’s reproductive group NARAL has consistently given Russ a 100% approval rating and the Wisconsin Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association has also honored him for his votes and leadership in standing up for women’s rights.
Russ has also been recognized by the Coalition Against Domestic Violence for his efforts to end domestic violence throughout Wisconsin and around the country.
