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Women's Issues

Fighting for Women’s Rights & Equality 

Women play a critical role in our economy, our communities, and our families, yet they continue to face barriers to fair wages, health care, workplace protections, and safety. I am committed to ensuring equal pay, protecting reproductive rights, preventing domestic violence, and expanding family leave so that all women—regardless of background—can thrive. 

 

Ensuring Fair Pay & Workplace Equality 

Despite making up nearly half of the American workforce, women in Indiana still earn only 75 cents for every dollar earned by their male counterparts. This wage gap is unacceptable, and it harms not just women but also families and our broader economy. 

 

That’s why I support: 

  • The Paycheck Fairness Act, which strengthens protections against pay discrimination 

  • The Equal Employment Opportunity Restoration Act, ensuring victims of workplace discrimination can challenge inequitable treatment 

  • Stronger enforcement of equal pay laws and closing loopholes that allow employers to justify pay disparities 

 

Women deserve equal pay for equal work, and I will continue fighting to make that a reality. 

 

Protecting Women’s Health & Reproductive Rights 

Access to quality health care, cancer screenings, and reproductive services is a fundamental right. I strongly support policies that: 

 

  • Protect access to mammograms, wellness visits, and preventive screenings 

  • Expand maternal health services to reduce racial and socioeconomic disparities in pregnancy outcomes 

  • Guarantee access to contraception and comprehensive family planning services 

  • Preserve the Constitutional right to abortion, as protected by Roe v. Wade 

 

Fighting Back Against Attacks on Women’s Health 

Unfortunately, both Indiana’s state government and  federal GOP lawmakers have attempted to roll back women’s health protections. I firmly oppose efforts to: 

 

  • Restrict access to abortion care and reproductive services 

  • Cut Title X funding, which provides critical family planning services 

  • Allow insurers to charge women higher premiums than men 

 

Decisions about health care should be between a woman and her doctor—not politicians. I remain committed to expanding protections, increasing research, and ensuring every woman has access to the care she needs. 

 

Preventing Domestic Violence & Supporting Survivors 

Domestic violence is a serious public health and safety issue that affects millions of women, children, and families. As a former law enforcement officer, I have seen firsthand the devastating impact of domestic violence—and I am committed to ensuring survivors have the support and resources they need to escape dangerous situations and rebuild their lives. 

 

That’s why I strongly support: 

  • Reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) to expand protections for survivors 

  • Increasing funding for domestic violence shelters and transitional housing 

  • Protecting and strengthening the Office on Violence Against Women 

  • Federal support for Indiana organizations like the Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Indiana Coalition Against Sexual Assault 

 

Promoting Paid Family & Medical Leave 

Too many working women in Indiana do not have access to paid family leave, making it harder to care for a newborn, a sick child, or an aging parent. The United States is one of the only developed nations without guaranteed paid leave, and that must change. 

 

That’s why I proudly support: 

  • The Healthy Families Act, which ensures workers can earn paid sick time 

  • Expanding the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to cover part-time workers 

  • Paid maternity and paternity leave, ensuring families have financial security when welcoming a child 

 

Strong families create strong communities, and no one should have to choose between their paycheck and their loved ones’ well-being. 

 

A Continued Commitment to Women’s Rights 

Women deserve equal opportunities, fair wages, quality health care, and protections from violence and discrimination. I will continue to fight for policies that: 

 

  • Ensure pay equity and workplace protections 

  • Defend reproductive rights and access to health care 

  • Strengthen domestic violence prevention programs 

  • Expand paid family leave for all workers 

 

Together, we can build a future where every woman—regardless of background—has the opportunity to thrive.