[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 99 (Wednesday, June 7, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H2771]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                         BLACK WOMEN AND GIRLS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
New Jersey (Mrs. Watson Coleman) for 5 minutes.
  Mrs. WATSON COLEMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of Black 
women and girls everywhere.
  While Black women play one of the most active and essential roles in 
our economy, we continue to be left behind and are the ones who are hit 
the hardest by economic downturns.
  Every day, Black women face seemingly insurmountable challenges 
ranging from structural barriers to systemic inequities that can hinder 
us from achieving full and meaningful lives.
  According to ``An Economy for All: Building a `Black Women Best' 
Legislative Agenda,'' a comprehensive report that provides compelling 
and connective legislative policy proposals to improve the lives of 
Black women, when we center and uplift Black women, we are, in fact, 
uplifting everyone.
  At its core, Black Women Best serves as a blueprint for economic, 
racial, and gender prosperity. Today, the Congressional Caucus on Black 
Women and Girls, which I cofounded and co-chair, released an updated 
report outlining a legislative agenda informed by the Black Women Best 
framework.
  The report's policy proposals include everything from maternal health 
to criminal justice reform to food injustice and breastfeeding 
injustice, all of which demonstrate just how vital it is to craft 
legislation that benefits all communities.
  Soon, I will reintroduce the Black Women Best resolution to address 
the systemic injustices Black women and girls face and to encourage 
Congress to craft legislation that benefits every American as laid out 
by the Black Women Best framework, which was developed by former Labor 
Department chief economist Janelle Jones.
  These policies all have two things in common: They bring Black women 
from peril to prosperity; and they benefit the economy, as well.
  Black Women Best is about giving Black women the freedom to thrive, 
the freedom to stay employed, and the freedom to continue driving our 
Nation's economic growth. Equity-focused legislation uplifts not just 
Black women but our entire economy.
  If we are going to change anything, we need to start giving Black 
women and girls the very tools that they need to thrive. Black women 
and girls are the missing piece to securing our Nation's future, and I 
hope that every single one of my colleagues, Democrat and Republican 
alike, support the Black Women Best resolution. Every action we take 
towards bettering the quality of life for Black women and girls 
everywhere is a step in the right direction.

                          ____________________