In a letter sent to Federal Election Commission acting general counsel Lisa J. Stevenson on the FEC to allow candidates to use campaign funds on childcare.
She argued such a move would “break down barriers” that prevent women from running for office and work toward making Congress a body “that reflects the diversity of the American people.”
“If we want a Congress that reflects the diversity of the American people, then we have to break down barriers for women and working parents who want to run for elected office,” Sewell said in a statement issued on Wednesday. “Affording childcare is a major barrier keeping working parents from getting out on the campaign trail. Today’s letter urging the FEC to allow candidates to use their privately-raised campaign funds for campaign-related childcare is a sensible step forward.”
“In a world where candidates spend campaign funds on private jet travel and steak dinners for donors, there is no reason why a working mother should not be able to pay for a babysitter while they make their case to voters,” she continued. “As the FEC makes its decision on campaign childcare expenses this week, women candidates across the country and many of us here in Congress will be watching.”
Sewell also pointed that 2016 Democratic Party presidential nominee Hillary Clinton was in favor of this.
Twenty-three other members backed Sewell, including Democratic Reps. Lois Frankel, Brenda Lawrence, Carolyn Maloney, John Lewis, Barbara Lee, Jan Schakowsky, Bob Brady, Maxine Waters, Judy Chu, Debbie Dingell, Dina Titus, Ruben Gallego, Robin Kelly, Kathleen Rice, Yvette Clarke, Colleen Hanabusa, Sheila Jackson Lee, Don McEachin, Bonnie Watson Coleman, Frederica S. Wilson, Jamie Raskin, Gwen Moore, and Ted Deutch.
If we want a Congress that reflects the diversity of the American people, we have to break down barriers for women who want to run for office! That’s why I led a letter today urging the FEC to authorize candidates to use campaign funds on childcare. 23 House Members cosigned! pic.twitter.com/rUPTYuvXHE
— Rep. Terri A. Sewell (@RepTerriSewell) May 9, 2018
Right now, less than 20 percent of Members of Congress are women. That’s not representative of who we are as a nation! For so many women candidates, affording childcare during evening campaign events and weekend trips is a major barrier. We’re working to fix that. pic.twitter.com/ex6XYvM3Xe
— Rep. Terri A. Sewell (@RepTerriSewell) May 9, 2018
@Jeff_Poor is a graduate of Auburn University and is the editor of Breitbart TV.
Don’t miss out! Subscribe today to have Alabama’s leading headlines delivered to your inbox.