DWC members unveil a women’s economic legislative slate covering childcare, pay, retirement and small-business opportunities. The Democratic Women’s Caucus released the package September 29, 2026, describing it as the third pillar of its Better Future Agenda.
Chair Teresa Leger Fernández leads the caucus alongside Policy Task Force Co-Chairs Deborah Ross and Sydney Kamlager-Dove. The caucus’s announcement presents proposed legislation intended to lower costs and strengthen women’s economic security.
DWC Members Unveil Childcare And Pay Proposals
Leger Fernández said her contributions include the Home of Your Own Act and Latina Equal Pay Act. She also named the Every Child Deserves a Head Start Act and Women in Agriculture Act.
She said the bills seek to expand childcare access, close the gender pay gap and create opportunities. Those are DWC’s stated objectives, rather than outcomes established by the announcement.
Vice Chair Hillary Scholten described the Tri-Share Child Care Pilot Act as a cost-sharing proposal. It would split childcare expenses among employers, employees and government.
Scholten said working parents should not carry that burden alone. She characterized the proposal as bipartisan and workable across changes in political control.
Vice Chair Emilia Sykes said her legislation would expand the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit. She also described proposals concerning overtime taxes, nutritious food and domestic violence survivors’ access to Social Security benefits.
Women-Owned Businesses And Career Access
Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez said the WOSB Accountability Act belongs to the slate. She argued that federal contracting opportunities should reach certified women entrepreneurs when government sets women-owned business goals.
Her comments place business access alongside the package’s household affordability proposals. Related Her Forward coverage examines women entrepreneurs’ networks and credit and a family fashion business.
Julie Johnson described the Fast Track Healthcare Apprentices Act as creating faster routes into healthcare careers. She said the Expanded Student Saver’s Tax Credit Act would help working students begin retirement saving earlier.
Ross said the slate combines lower costs, childcare access, fair pay and financial opportunities. DWC also calls for stronger retirement security, protection of workers’ rights and support for unions.
Food Costs And Price Discrimination
Norma Torres highlighted the Pink Tax Repeal Act, which targets gender-based price discrimination. She argued that women should not pay more because a product or service is marketed to them.
Laura Friedman said the Stop Disaster Price Gouging Act responds to housing and necessity price increases after the LA wildfires. She described a $25,000 penalty supporting victims and enforcement powers for survivors and state attorneys general.
Grace Meng said the Hot Foods Act would let SNAP recipients buy hot and prepared foods. She identified seniors, people with disabilities, working parents and families among those the proposal would help.
Caucus Frames Its Economic Priorities
DWC’s announcement sharply criticizes President Trump and congressional Republicans over living costs and economic opportunities. Those statements are the caucus’s political arguments, not independent findings established by its release.
Its proposed business measures join an ongoing debate about women’s economic participation. Her Forward also covers women’s new-business formation.
DWC says it is pushing forward the member-led bills to pursue a more affordable and equitable future. The announcement presents that legislative effort as its next step.
