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This Mother's Day, I'm reflecting on where I was about 17 years ago.
May 14, 2008, was a busy day. I was a freshman congresswoman, and the House was deep in the weeds of passing the Farm Bill — a huge piece of legislation that we work on every five years to feed our country. Over on the Armed Services Committee, I worked all day to pass a crucial amendment to the bill we were voting on.
All in all, it was a 13-hour day. The last vote took place at 8 p.m. Around nine hours after leaving the floor of the House, I gave birth to my second son, Henry.
I was lucky to have a job that allowed me to take leave after I gave birth. But millions of other moms aren't so lucky. That's why I've spent my career fighting relentlessly for the rights of families and women. With Donald Trump and ultra-conservative extremists sabotaging our efforts at every turn, it's never been more important to ensure we have leaders in Congress who are committed to supporting families at the highest level. Please, will you chip in before midnight tonight to help take back our Democratic majority?
I was proud to work right up until the day I gave birth. But I'll be the first to tell you, being a mom in Congress isn't easy. Being a mom isn't easy, period — especially given the lack of protections that our country offers to new parents.
We're the only industrialized nation in the world that fails to provide paid family or parental leave. Child care has become impossibly unaffordable. The COVID-19 pandemic drove millions of moms out of the labor market. Being a parent in America is incredibly challenging and expensive.
I've spent years pushing for legislation to make it easier to raise children in this country, and I've built coalitions of support across party lines. But obstruction from the far-right has stopped us from passing the most substantial measures.
I'll never stop fighting for families — and I am certain that real change is possible. I need people like you to step up and help take back our majority in the midterms so we can continue the fight for families and women. Please, will you donate $5 now to help flip the Senate and defeat extremists? With love and gratitude,
Kirsten |
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