'Women for Berman' Group Back Congressman for Re-Election

[The following information was provided by Rep. Howard Berman's campaign office].

Today, the Howard Berman campaign launched Women for Berman, connecting Valley residents who are supporting Howard for Congress based on his tireless efforts and significant accomplishments on behalf of women. Led by a Steering Committee of more than a dozen leaders from the San Fernando Valley and across Los Angeles, the group will play a critical role in advising the campaign as well as informing and educating voters as we move towards November.

“Howard is not just an ally, he’s a champion,” said Lyn Shaw, lifelong Valley resident and President of the Democratic Women of the San Fernando Valley. “Many politicians walk the walk, but Howard Berman talks the talk, working towards goals of greater opportunity, health and safety,” continued Shaw.

Howard Berman has always been a champion for equal rights and opportunities for women, dating back to his time serving in the California State Assembly. Howard wrote the law that made California the first state in the state in the nation to require employers to guarantee women time off after giving birth while protecting their right to return to their jobs. Howard also authored California’s historic Fair Credit Act, ending decades of discrimination that had prevented many women from accessing credit—a groundbreaking law that would later be adopted nationwide.

Ever since, Howard has worked diligently for California’s women. He is an advocate for women's rights and a steadfast supporter of protecting a woman's ability to make personal decisions with her doctor.  He supported the health insurance reform that banned gender based premium hikes and President Obama’s policy which requires insurance companies to provide critical women’s health services free of deductibles and co-pays, a historic policy which goes into effect today.  He worked to pass legislation to ensure women equal pay for equal work. He is the author of the Ovarian Cancer Biomarker Research Act, which funds research for early detection and treatment of ovarian cancer and was an original co-sponsor of the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay act to end gender based salary discrimination.

As a member of Congress Howard has used his position as the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee to enhance quality of life for women around the world. Howard co-authored the original Violence Against Women Act to strengthen U.S. efforts to combat violence against women worldwide and passed through the House a bill authorizing the State Department's Office of Global Women's Issues. He has authored and passed two bills in the last several years to prevent global sex trafficking and provide assistance to its victims and has fought against the Global Gag Rule. Howard is the author and leading voice of the Global Partnerships Act—which would, for the first time, put women and girls at the center of the United States' foreign aid efforts.

“I am proud to have the support of so many dynamic and accomplished women in my race for Congress. As a husband and a father of two beautiful daughters, I have always strived through my work in Congress, towards making the world a safer, better place for all of our daughters,” said Howard Berman.

Accompanying today's announcement, the Berman campaign has unveiled a new website,www.howardberman.com/women to connect supporters and keep Valley voters up to date on news and ways to get involved with the campaign.

Since his earliest days in elected office Howard has been an effective advocate for the issues that matter most to Women in the Valley. Howard Berman is the only candidate in this race endorsed by both Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer, and has the strong support of California's Representatives Karen Bass, Lois Capps, Barbara Lee, Jackie Speier, Maxine Waters and others who have joined the group of 24 members of the U.S. House of Representatives who are standing with Howard Berman.