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 Hilda is a leading advocate in Congress for women and women's issues. She is an active member in the bi-partisan Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues, which she co-chaired from 2005-2006.
Defending Reproductive Rights
Hilda is a strong and consistent advocate for a woman's right to make her own choices regarding her reproductive health.
She has worked tirelessly to ensure that every woman, regardless of income level, has access to low cost and effective family planning. In addition, Hilda strongly believes that insurance companies should be required to cover prescription contraceptive methods.
The radical right wing of the Republican party is pushing the country in an alarming direction. The recent Supreme Court decisions and White House judicial appointments show the need for strong leadership that stands up to the politicians in Washington who seek to force their narrow ideologies into law.
Fighting Inequality at Home
Hilda is strongly commited to ensuring that every person, regardless of their sex, has access to the full rights and benefits our nation has to offer. Her tireless efforts in the House of Representatives reflect this commitment as she focuses on economic and social policies that foster equality for women.
Hilda supports efforts to eliminate the unacceptable gap in pay between men and women. Also, she strongly supported an increase in the federal minimum to improve the economic well-being of the more than 13 million single mothers in the U.S. who aren't earning enough to provide for their children.
Hilda played an instrumental role in the fight to save Title IX from the attempts of President Bush and his Republican allies in Congress to dismantle women's equity in sports. She recognizes the importance of Title IX in lives of thousands of girls and women.
Stopping a Culture of Violence in the U.S.
Hilda recognizes that abuse resulting from domestic violence is a growing problem in America.
Women in racial, ethnic, and immigrant communities are much less likely to seek help or report abuse because of the inassessiblity of adequate domestic violence services or cultural beliefs inhibit victims from coming forward. Hilda is working in Congress to combat domestic violence and make culturally competent services accessible for all victims of abuse.
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She played a leading role in renewing the Violence Against Women Act (Public Law 109-162) and authored two provisions in the new law. One provision assists communities with developing specialized domestic violence courts to quickly get abusers out of the home and away from victims. Another provision calls for increased funding to develop media campaigns to raise awareness in multiple languages and in a culturally sensitive way.
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Hilda also supports several measures aimed at improving the support system for battered women, including providing them with temporary housing, access to job training and affordable child care, and the counseling necessary to help them regain their lives.
Stopping a Culture of Violence Abroad
Hilda is a staunch for women facing oppression and abuse abroad. She is a leader in the fight to protect the rights of women and girls in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico and Guatemala.
Over the past decade in Ciudad Juárez, the bodies of over 300 girls and women have been found, most raped or mutilated, while hundreds more remain missing. Hilda is fighting to ensure that the women and girls of Ciudad Juárez are able to live without violence. She is actively raising awareness in the Congress about these horrific offenses and has strongly urged the Government of Mexico to conduct a federal investigation. She has also introduced H.Con.Res. 90, which conveys condolences to the families of the young women murdered in Ciudad Juárez, and encourages increased participation from the United States to help bring an end to these outragous violations.
In addition, Hilda has introduced legislation condemning the murders of women and girls in Guatemala and expressing condolences and support to families of the victims. The resolution strongly urges the Government of Guatemala to recognize domestic violence as a crime and to promptly investigate the killings and prosecute those responsible. The measure also asks for a more proactive U.S. approach, urging the U.S. Ambassador to Guatemala to meet with the families of the victims. To address the increasing occurrences of violence against women in Latin America, Hilda's resolution recommends that the Secretary of State develop a comprehensive plan to address the growing problem.
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