Washington, DC – DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz issued the following statement today regarding the EPA’s proposed rule to set carbon standards for power plants:

“It is a moral imperative that we bequeath to our children a hea…

Washington, DC – DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz released the following statement marking the start of LGBT Pride Month, which is June:

This June, we celebrate Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month. It is an opportunity to recognize the remarkable progress our nation has made towards equality for all Americans and the contributions made by the LGBT community.

Forty-five years ago, in June 1969, the LGBT community had to literally fight for recognition of the discrimination they faced during the Stonewall riots in New York. Last June, the LGBT community achieved a victory when the Supreme Court struck down the Defense of Marriage Act as unconstitutional.

The progress towards equality has accelerated in recent years. Marriage equality now exists in nineteen states and the District of Columbia and public support for gay marriage has reached record highs. Additionally, President Obama oversaw the repeal of the discriminatory Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy and ensured hospital visitation rights for LGBT couples.

I’m proud that the world in which my children are growing up is becoming one where people no longer face discrimination based on who they love. There is still work to do, but with each step we move closer to fulfilling our nation’s potential of full equality under the law for every American.

Washington, DC – DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz released the following statement on the passing of Dr. Maya Angelou:

“I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Dr. Maya Angelou.

“Earlier this year, as I watched Dr. …

Washington, DC – DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz released the following statement in commemoration of Memorial Day:

“This Memorial Day, we take the opportunity to honor the memory of those who have given their lives in service of thi…

WASHINGTON, DC – In response to the recently revealed comments made by Republican Congressman Ted Yoho, DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz issued the following statement:

“Ted Yoho’s comments aren’t just from a different de…

Washington, DC – DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz issued the following statement today on the results of Tuesday’s primaries in Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Oregon, and Pennsylvania:

“On behalf of the Democratic National Committee, I congratulate all of the candidates who secured the Democratic nomination in their respective races today. Across the country, Democrats have nominated candidates who are focused on moving our nation forward with commonsense initiatives that grow the economy, create jobs, and expand opportunity for all while Republicans push policies that benefit the fortunate few and special interests.

“It’s fitting that John Boehner admitted today what we already knew, that ‘there’s not that big a difference’ between the Tea Party and the GOP. Even the candidates purportedly backed by the establishment have been pulled so far to the right that it is a distinction without a difference. The civil war in the Republican Party is over and the Tea Party won.

“Strong, female Democratic candidates Alison Lundergan Grimes and Michelle Nunn will oppose Republican nominees who have been deeply hurt by their primary contests. The scrutiny placed on Mitch McConnell in the last few months has only shown that mainstream Kentuckians are sick and tired of someone they see as the embodiment of everything that’s wrong with Washington. David Perdue and Jack Kingston have made it to the runoff only by embracing the most extreme positions of the Tea Party that leaves the middle class even further behind. And they are about to move even further to the right as they begin a long, divisive runoff.

“Democrats will put Mark Pryor’s history of fighting for Arkansas families against Tom Cotton’s putting personal ambition and adherence to donors like the Koch brothers over the middle class. Tom Wolf, a smart, business-oriented leader, is well-positioned to defeat an embattled Tom Corbett, whose disastrous record of restricting voting rights and women’s health care choices have, in part, made him the least popular governor in America. Jason Carter is a talented and dedicated public servant who is committed to fighting for middle class Georgians. Senator Merkley has been a tireless advocate for Oregon’s working families and he’s poised to run against a Republican who is woefully out of touch with the values of Oregonians.

“With House Republicans obsessed with voting to repeal health care reform and politically charged investigations instead of taking action to provide economic security for middle class families, it is no surprise that they continue to put forward extreme and out of touch candidates who put ideology above all else. Today’s Democratic nominees join the fight to provide opportunity for all, instead of the few, and will offer voters a clear choice in November.”

Washington, DC – DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz issued the following statement today on the 60th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s decision in the case of Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka:

“Sixty years ago, United State…

Washington, DC – DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz issued the following statement today on the 60th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s decision in the case of Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka:

“Sixty years ago, United State…

Washington, DC – DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz released the following statement endorsing Representative John Conyers’ reelection:

“I fully support Representative Conyers’ reelection effort. The people of Michigan have greatly benefitted from his decades of public service, and I’m confident they will choose him to represent their interests in Congress once again as they have done for nearly fifty years. I had the privilege of serving under Congressman Conyers’ leadership as a member of the House Judiciary Committee and have seen firsthand over the years why he has earned the respect of his constituents and his colleagues. His leadership will be a valuable contribution to the 114th Congress.”

As we close out National Women’s Health Week, I’m struck by the dramatic contrast between Republicans’ and Democrats’ priorities when it comes to women’s health.

Democrats are hard at work helping women access health care by defending the Affordable Care Act, and with it, no co-pay preventive care, guaranteed access to maternity coverage, and ending discrimination by health insurance companies based on pre-existing conditions or gender. And, of course, we believe that a woman’s health care decisions should be made between her and her doctor. Period. Not her boss. And certainly not politicians.

But at the state and national level, Republicans have repeatedly taken actions that restrict access to health care for women and families. Yes, they’ve voted more than 50 times to repeal or undermine Obamacare, but their disregard goes beyond even that. Just last week, the RNC passed a resolution that makes their restrictive and extreme women’s health agenda one of their focuses going into the midterm elections. Now it’s not enough to just hold pro-life beliefs – the RNC is saying this is central to their message and encouraging GOP candidates to follow suit.

When the RNC backs extreme policies like that, there are real-world consequences for women. In my home state, Florida Republicans including Gov. Rick Scott are taking constrictions on women’s health to a new level. The state legislature recently passed two new restrictions that will interfere with a woman’s right to make her own medical decisions with her doctor, and instead inserts the GOP’s extreme agenda into these very private discussions (learn more about HB 1047 and HB 59 here).

If Rick Scott signs these bills – and I’m sorry to say that I’m confident he will – my home state will be the next in a long line of states to roll back the clock on women’s rights. It is senseless and it is wrong. This National Women’s Health Week, I’m standing with Florida women.