Hillary Clinton: Congress ‘living in an evidence-free zone’

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Thursday slammed Congress as “living in an evidence-free zone” and called for voters to turn women’s issues into a “political movement.”

“The Congress, increasingly, despite the best efforts of my friends and others, is living in an evidence-free zone where what the reality is in the lives of Americans is so far from the minds of too many,” Clinton said.

She said, however, the economic struggles of everyday Americans are “roiling beneath the surface of the political debates,” and that there will come a point where “politicians will have to listen, at their peril.”

{mosads}The former senator spoke on a panel of female lawmakers and average American women convened by the Center for American Progress to discuss women’s economic security. Clinton, along with Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), urged voters to make women’s issues — and particularly women’s economic struggles — a central focus in this year’s elections and beyond.

“When we can turn an issue into a political movement that demands people be responsive during the election season, it carries over,” Clinton said. “These issues have to be in the lifeblood of this election and in any election.”

The discussion has been a constant focus for Democrats this fall as they work to turn out female voters for the midterm elections. Democrats are hoping the advantage they historically enjoy with women will help them mitigate a tough political climate and expected drop-offs in turnout among other base voters. They have been making female-centric policy proposals — like fair pay and raising the minimum wage, which they’ve framed as being beneficial to working mothers and families — central planks of their campaigns.

It’s also one that would be a significant aspect of Clinton’s presidential campaign, if she decides to run, as is expected. Clinton made expanding and protecting women’s rights and opportunities across the globe a priority during her time at the State Department and as first lady.

DeLauro on Thursday confirmed the prospect of a Clinton presidential bid is never far from Democrats’ minds, even if Clinton herself made no mention of her interest.

“Hillary, I don’t know if you’re here — what this signals in terms of your future — I know what it signals in terms of the issues that you care about and what you have been championing for a lifetime,” she said on the panel.