Chris Dodd understands that as far as women's rights have progressed in the last fifty years, much more needs to be done.

Despite the fact that nearly half the workforce is now made up of women, that women are more likely to have an advanced degree, and that as many as 10 million businesses in America are owned by women, women are still not competing on a level playing-field with their male counterparts. Today, women earn only 77 cents for every dollar men earn and face unique challenges balancing the demands of work and family. As President, Chris Dodd will create opportunity for women and support them in the choices they make by:

 

• Instituting Paid Family and Medical Leave

   

• Ensuring every woman receives a full day's pay for a full day's work

   

• Increasing access to high-quality, affordable child care

   

• Expanding the Child and Earned Income Tax Credits

   

• Make women's health a priority

   

Chris Dodd knows how to get results for women and families and bring people together to turn Democratic principles into American policies. He brought Democrats and Republicans together to pass the historic Family and Medical Leave Act which has helped 50 million Americans take time off to celebrate the birth or adoption of a child or care for a sick family member. He is a strong supporter of a woman's right to choose and has fought to invest in and protect women's health. He authored the first federal child care law since World War II. And, Chris Dodd is a strong supporter of affirmative action and equal pay for women. As President, Chris Dodd will get results for women.

 

THE DODD PLAN FOR PUTTING WOMEN AND FAMILIES FIRST

 

Paid Family and Medical Leave. As the author of the Family and Medical Leave Act, Chris Dodd ensured that millions of Americans would never have to choose between the job they need and the family they love. Unfortunately, many Americans cannot take advantage of this historic law because they cannot afford to take unpaid time off from work. As President, Chris Dodd will provide 8 weeks of paid leave to care for a sick family member or to welcome a child into the world.

As the author of the Family and Medical Leave Act, Chris Dodd ensured that millions of Americans would never have to choose between the job they need and the family they love. Unfortunately, many Americans cannot take advantage of this historic law because they cannot afford to take unpaid time off from work. As President, Chris Dodd will provide 8 weeks of leave to care for a sick family member or to welcome a child into the world.

Pay Equity. According to the United States Census, the average income of women college graduates is $25,000 less than their male counterparts. For women of color, the gap is even larger. A longtime supporter of paycheck fairness, Chris Dodd will ensure that no woman is ever denied a full and fair paycheck because of their gender. As President, he will require the Department of Labor to work with employers to eliminate pay disparities. He will also prohibit employers from retaliating against employees who share salary information with their co-workers and stiffen penalties for employers in violation of the Equal Pay Act. Chris Dodd understands that equal pay for equal work is long overdue.

Making Child Care Affordable and Accessible. Today, parents of more than 28 million school-age children work outside the home. Unfortunately, the high cost of child care erodes the value of their paychecks or, in some cases, prevents parents from reentering the workforce at all. As the author of the landmark Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG), Chris Dodd understands children must have a safe place to grow while their parents are at work. As President, he will significantly increase funding for CCDBG and provide incentives for businesses to provide child care for their employees. He will also promote public-private partnerships to strengthen investment in early childhood development.

Expand the Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit. Chris Dodd understands that raising a family in America is expensive. Visits to the pediatrician, formula, diapers, and child care, all take a toll on a family's budget. Today, the Child Tax Credit provides $1,000 per child but parents of nearly 7 million low-income children, most of them infants and toddlers, are ineligible for the credit. As President, Chris Dodd will expand eligibility for the Child Tax Credit. He will also expand eligibility for the Earned Income Tax Credit, which lifts more than 2.5 million children out of poverty each year.

Make Women's Health a Priority. Chris Dodd knows that while we have made incredible strides in focusing on women's health in recent years, more must be done. As President, he will invest additional research dollars into diseases that disproportionately affect women and fund added research into how diseases and medicines affect women differently than men. He will provide universal health care with special emphasis on prevention and screenings for diseases such as breast cancer, ovarian cancer and heart disease. A strong supporter of a woman's right to choose, Chris Dodd will also ensure access to women's contraceptive services and equity in prescription drug coverage.

CHRIS DODD: A RECORD OF RESULTS FOR WOMEN AND FAMILIES

Authored the Family and Medical Leave Act. Chris Dodd authored the Family and Medical Leave Act and fought for seven years, overcoming two presidential vetoes, until it became law. Since passage, an estimated 50 million workers have been allowed to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave to care for a new child or a sick family member.

Passed Landmark Child Care Legislation. Chris Dodd authored the Child Care and Development Block Grant program which has provided billions of dollars in federal aid to improve the quality of child care and help low-income families cope with its high cost. In recognition of his work to improve access to safe, quality child care services, the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies awarded Dodd the "Lifetime Leadership Award for Quality Child Care."

Supports a Woman's Right to Choose. In 1995, Chris Dodd was an early supporter of the Women's Choice and Reproductive Health Protection Act, which would have codified the Roe v. Wade decision guaranteeing a woman's right to choose into federal law. He has also co-sponsored the Equity in Prescription Insurance and Contraceptive Act, which provided increased access to contraceptive services for women in order to prevent unwanted pregnancies and ensure equity in prescription drug coverage.

Supports Affirmative Action for Women and Minorities. In 1998, Chris Dodd voted to continue the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program, which requires that the federal government set aside at least ten percent of federally-funded highway projects for businesses owned by women and minorities. He also praised the landmark 2003 Supreme Court decision upholding the University of Michigan's affirmative action policy, saying that "every American deserves a chance to go as far as their ability and effort will take them- regardless of their race, gender, ethnicity or economic circumstances. This decision reaffirms that vital principle."

Worked to Prevent Violence Against Women. Chris Dodd was an early supporter of the Violence Against Women Act. He authored and won passage of legislation that expanded state child protective service programs, and helped author a bill that increased funds for shelter, emergency relief, and counseling services to victims of domestic violence. In addition, Dodd cosponsored the SAFE Act, which would ensure victims of domestic violence are allowed 30 days of unpaid leave from work to make necessary court appearances, contact law enforcement officials or make alternative housing arrangements, without the fear of being fired or demoted.

Fought to Protect Women's Health. In 1992, Chris Dodd authored legislation that increased the percentage of federal substance abuse treatment funds devoted to pregnant women. He also cosponsored the Mammography Quality Standards Act, which mandated quality control standards for providers of mammography screenings. He was an early supporter of the Women's Health Equity Act, which sought to expand research on women's health issues and establish the Office of Women's Health in the Department of Health and Human Services. He also cosponsored a measure that would require health plans that provide maternity benefits to provide hospital coverage for new mothers and newborns for at least 48 hours, ending "drive-thru deliveries."

Supports the Equal Rights Amendment. Chris Dodd is a strong supporter of the Equal Rights Amendment.

Worked to Strengthen the Equal Pay Act. Chris Dodd has cosponsored the Paycheck Fairness Act, which would strengthen the landmark Equal Pay Act that mandates equal pay for women and men who do equal work.