Madam Speaker: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the U.S. Speaker of the House
(March 6 — 12)
This Tuesday, Madam Speaker joined Ambassador Mariangela Zappia at the Italian Embassy to mark International Women’s Day and celebrate Italian women who have broken barriers in culture, medicine, technology and diplomacy.
On Wednesday, Madam Speaker and Chairman Bobby Scott hosted a Women’s History Month event honoring Billie Jean King and women athletes. The event also recognized the late Congresswoman Patsy Mink, the author and sponsor of Title IX, landmark legislation that has been a pillar of equity, opportunity and education in helping women chase their dreams in the classroom, on the field and in every arena.
Following the ceremony, Madam Speaker spoke with President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine, discussing Putin’s unprovoked invasion and reiterating America’s unwavering support for the Ukrainian people. She later welcomed U.K. Foreign Secretary Elizabeth Truss to the United States Capitol for a bilateral meeting. The Speaker then held her weekly press conference, where she discussed omnibus funding legislation and a ban on the import of Russian oil and energy products, both of which the House passed later that night.
The 2022 House Democratic Issues Conference took place in Philadelphia on Thursday and Friday. Madam Speaker joined House Democratic Leadership for a press conference on Friday and later welcomed President Joe Biden who delivered keynote remarks.
On Saturday, Madam Speaker joined Assistant Speaker Katherine Clark, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, Congresswoman Lori Trahan and local clinicians in Cambridge, Massachusetts to discuss health care investments made by the American Rescue Plan Act.
March 8
“Women today stand on the shoulders of giants who marched and mobilized across the globe for dignity, equality and opportunity for themselves and for their daughters. On behalf of Congress and the Country, we also salute today the courage and resilience of the people of Ukraine, especially the women defending their democracy and protecting their families. May this International Women’s Day serve as inspiration to the next generation of women leaders around the world, who carry on the fight for gender justice and full equality.”
March 9
“Not only is Billie Jean one of the greatest tennis players of all time — men or women — but she has blessed our country with her devotion to activism. She has been a fearless voice for women and LGBTQ Americans.”
“It was an honor to speak with Ukrainian President Zelensky today, who has been so courageous, determined and strategic in protecting his country. We talked about a range of issues, including Putin’s heinous murder of babies, children and mothers, and America’s unwavering support for Ukraine.”
Madam Speaker: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the U.S. Speaker of the House
“A record number of Americans have gained access through the Affordable Care Act … Under the Rescue Plan, Democrats further lowered premiums, saving some of these families an average of $2,400. But Republicans want to take those savings away, raise costs, including another plan announced by a GOP Senator, which would, in his words, raise taxes on over half of Americans.”
March 11
“We’re very proud of our President, of what we did in these two days, and I thank Chairman Jeffries and Vice Chair Aguilar and Katherine [Clark] … for the magnificent intellectual resources they brought together here, on subjects that relate to jobs, women in the workplace, saving our planet.”
“Mr. President, what you see before you — I say to them under one roof, when our Caucus comes together — it is the greatest collection of integrity and high skills and imagination to make the future better for the American people. They came together in this Caucus, under the leadership of Mr. Jeffries and Mr. Aguilar and our other leadership … Mr. President, it’s an honor for us to see you any day. But on the one-year anniversary of … the American Rescue Plan, thank you for joining us. Thank you for your leadership.”
March 12
“We have had challenges in terms of disparities within our health care system throughout. The decisions that the President has made are about equity and justice in everything that we do. [The pandemic] revealed what was — should have been self-evident, but was clear to anybody who cared to know the truth, that we had to address these issues in a culturally, linguistically appropriate way. And that anything less than that was a disservice.”
