The following news release was issued by Congresswoman Clark’s Washington, D.C., office on Dec. 10:
Today, on International Human Rights Day and the 70thanniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Democratic Caucus Vice Chair Rep. Katherine Clark, Ranking Member Nita Lowey, Ranking Member Eliot Engel, Rep. Barbara Lee and Rep. Lois Frankel introduced the Reproductive Rights are Human Rights Act. The bill would require the U.S. State Department to include reproductive rights in its annual human rights report after the State Department deleted all subsections without warning or justification in 2017.
“Documenting and reporting human rights violations is a major part of eradicating their existence,” said Congresswoman Katherine Clark. “This bill would ensure that our State Department maintains its vital role as an international watchdog and protector of women’s rights no matter the ideology of our White House.”
“The U.S. cannot turn its back on the countless women around the world who are deprived of basic reproductive rights,” said Congresswoman Nita Lowey, Ranking Member on the House Appropriations Committee and its Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations. “I’m proud to support legislation that would restore reproductive rights to the State Department’s annual human rights report, maintaining U.S. leadership on behalf of the world’s women across administrations.”
“The Trump Administration’s censorship of key elements of the State Department’s annual human rights report is outrageous,” said Ranking Member Eliot L. Engel. The deletion of reproductive rights was a clear step back from the United States’ obligation to address the full range of human rights violations around the globe. This bill will ensure Congress has a clear and complete picture of the challenges women and girls face. Without this information, we cannot hope to overcome those challenges.”
“Regardless of who sits in the Oval Office, the US government should serve as an advocate for women’s fundamental reproductive rights. Protecting and advancing women’s rights should remain front and center in our diplomacy, including documenting and reporting on violations against their human rights,” said Congresswoman Barbara Lee. “If Secretary Pompeo won’t stand up for women around the world, then Congress must. I am proud to support the Reproductive Rights are Human Rights Act, on behalf of women and girls across the globe.”
“Women’s rights are human rights,” said Rep. Lois Frankel. “There is no greater right for women than to be in charge of their own bodies.”
As required by the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and the Trade Act of 1974, the Secretary of State reports annually to Congress on the status of human rights in each country receiving U.S. foreign aid, as well as in each United Nations member state. Since 2011, these reports have included detailed information on deprivation of women’s access to reproductive rights. Congress and the private sector rely upon them when considering appropriations requests and making advocacy, planning, and policy decisions.
Removing women’s right from the annual report in 2017 was a dramatic and dangerous shift in U.S. efforts to protect the international rights of women and sent a message to abusive governments that the U.S. would no longer hold them account for violations. In October, Congressmembers Clark, Lowey, Lee, Engel, Frankel and 124 of their colleagues sent a letter to Secretary Pompeo calling on him to reverse this policy.
“I applaud Representatives Katherine Clark, Eliot Engel, Nita Lowey, Barbara Lee, and Lois Frankel for introducing the Reproductive Rights Are Human Rights Act of 2018 today. This bill will ensure that the U.S. State Department includes comprehensive reporting on reproductive rights in its annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices. Access to reproductive healthcare has been recognized as a protected human right impacting women’s right to life, health, equality, non-discrimination and freedom from cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment and governments do not get to pick and choose whose rights will be respected,” said Nancy Northup, President and CEO of the Center for Reproductive Rights. “When women’s rights are limited and they are unable to access basic health care like contraception, safe abortion, and maternal health care, their ability to achieve economic, social, and political empowerment is fundamentally hindered. By requiring annual reporting on these critical issues, the House of Representatives is ensuring that the rights of women and girls will no longer be political spoils that can be erased from global discourse.”
“This erasure puts real lives in danger,” said NARAL Pro-Choice America President Ilyse Hogue. “Using backdoor tactics to erase all mention of reproductive rights—including abortion, contraception, and maternal mortality—from vital reports and resources in order to push an extreme, ideological agenda is a true testament to just how dangerous and corrupt this administration is. The Trump administration will stop at nothing to systematically dismantle and deny the fundamental freedoms of women in the U.S. and abroad, and this bill is an important step in fighting back against their attempts to deny that reproductive rights are a human right.”
“Reproductive health care is health care, and health care is a basic human right. The Trump-Pence administration’s erasure of reproductive rights from the State Department’s human rights report is an attack on women around the world, and the communities that depend on them. We applaud Rep. Clark and other champions of reproductive rights for recognizing that women around the world deserve access to comprehensive health care, which includes reproductive health care, and rely on it to lead healthy, successful lives. We are grateful to have leaders in Congress who stand up for the basic notion that reproductive rights are human rights,” said Dr. Leana Wen, President, Planned Parenthood Federation of America.
Human Rights Day is observed every year on December 10th in recognition of the anniversary of the United Nations General Assembly adopting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a milestone document that proclaimed the inalienable rights of every human being, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.
Forty-five organizations have endorsed the Reproductive Rights are Human Rights Act including:
Center for Reproductive Rights
Advocates for Youth
American Psychological Association
Athlete Ally
Bangladesh Model Youth Parliament
CARE USA
Center for Biological Diversity
Center for Health and Gender Equity (CHANGE)
Clearinghouse on Women’s Issues
Global Justice Institute, Metropolitan Community Churches
Guttmacher Institute
Human Rights Campaign
Human Rights Project at the Urban Justice Center
Ibis Reproductive Health
International Action Network for Gender Equity & Law
International Center for Research on Women (ICRW)
International Federation of Business and Professional Women
International Women’s Health Coalition
Ipas
MADRE
Milaan Foundation
NARAL Pro-Choice America
National Council of Jewish Women
National Institute for Reproductive Health
National Organization for Women
National Women’s Health Network
Oxfam America
PAI
People For the American Way
Planned Parenthood Federation of America
Population Connection Action Fund
Population Institute
Promundo-US
Reconstructionist Rabbinical Assembly
Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights
Sex Workers Project at the Urban Justice Center
Too Young To Wed
UPIC Health
US National Committee for UN Women
Women Graduates – USA
Women for Afghan Women
Women of Color Advancing Peace, Security and Conflict Transformation
Woodhull Freedom Foundation
ZanaAfrica Foundation
Jewish Labor Committee
As Democratic Caucus vice chair, Clark vows to lead
Globe, Nov. 29, 2018: Katherine Clark elected to leadership post
The following news release was issued by Congresswoman Clark’s Washington, D.C., office on Nov. 28:
I am incredibly grateful for the support of my colleagues and am honored to have the opportunity to work on their behalf as the vice chair of the Democratic Caucus.
Earlier this month, the American people sent a clear message to Washington by electing a Democratic majority and the most diverse Congress in our nation’s history. Voters rejected the divisive rhetoric and policies that marked the 115th Congress and instead were energized by the Democrats promise of a more productive, inclusive, and fair America. Our message was simple: the Democrats are fighting for you.
Today, we took another step forward by electing a leadership team that similarly reflects the American people and their vision for our democracy. With Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader Hoyer, Majority Whip Clyburn, Assistant Democratic Leader Lujan, Caucus Chair Jeffries, and the rest of the leadership team, House Democrats are ready to move an agenda forward that puts the needs of the American people first.
As Vice Chair, I am eager to get to work on the promises we made like getting corruption out of politics, protecting Social Security and Medicare, improving access to affordable, quality healthcare, and ensuring equal pay for equal work.
I can’t wait to see what progress we will make together on behalf of the American people. Let’s get to work!
Clark announces candidacy for Democratic Caucus vice chair
The following news release was issued by Congresswoman Clark’s Washington, D.C., office on July 26:
Congresswoman Katherine Clark (MA-5) announced her candidacy for Democratic Caucus vice chair for the 116th Congress in a letter to her colleagues.
Dear Colleague:
It is the privilege of my professional career to serve with you in our Democratic Caucus. To ensure that the American people have a Congress that stands for them, we must win a strong Democratic majority in November and be ready to implement a bold agenda. I would be honored to be part of the team to lead our caucus and to earn your support as I seek election to be vice chair of the Democratic Caucus for the 116th Congress.
Across the country, we are witnessing unprecedented energy and enthusiasm to create opportunity and security for American families and protect our democracy. But this engagement can’t end with the election: we need accessible, inclusive leadership to help build a collaborative agenda that inspires our constituents and produces results. We can achieve this by ensuring that members have the tools to engage in direct, meaningful conversation with their constituents, and, in turn, empowering every member to share the needs and ideas of their communities to drive Democratic priorities.
Like you, I will spend the next months continuing to do everything in my power to secure a Democratic majority. My work with you, and with hundreds of our candidates in districts across the country, has solidified my belief that the diversity of our caucus is our greatest asset and that we are stronger as a caucus when every member has the chance to contribute. I want to hear your ideas about how we can best support every member of our caucus, create opportunities for members to grow and lead, and make bold progress on our shared values. I look forward to hearing your vision for our caucus, and thank you for your partnership.ice to Congress.
