Lawmakers mark Women’s Equality Day

Various lawmakers marked Women’s Equality Day on Saturday, celebrating women’s achievements and the passage of the 19th Amendment, which allowed women to vote.

House lawmakers took the opportunity to push for new legislation providing services for working families, with Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) proposing the House pass a bill tackling childcare costs for working parents. 

To celebrate #WomensEqualityDay, let’s pass expanded access to affordable child care, allowing both parents to earn paychecks.

— Elijah E. Cummings (@RepCummings) August 26, 2017

Other statements from lawmakers including Reps. John Garamendi (D-Calif.) and Mike Quigley (D-Ill.) focused on expanding opportunities for women in the workforce and emphasized the need for equal compensation for women. 

Today we celebrate #WomensEqualityDay & look to past successes, like the #19thAmendment, to continue the fight for a level playing field.

— John Garamendi (@RepGaramendi) August 26, 2017

On #WomensEqualityDay & every day, we refocus on building a more inclusive nation that expands access to economic opportunity for all.

— Mike Quigley (@RepMikeQuigley) August 26, 2017

Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) encouraged the removal of “the many barriers that still exist for women,” and posted a quote from Malala Yousafzai, a female Pakistani activist for women’s and children’s education and the youngest ever Nobel Peace Prize recipient.

Equality benefits us all. This #WomensEqualityDay, let’s recommit to removing the many barriers that still exist for women. pic.twitter.com/2y836HI3sX

— Senator Jeff Merkley (@SenJeffMerkley) August 26, 2017

Former President Richard Nixon issued the first Women’s Equality Day proclamation in 1976. The holiday was celebrated on Aug. 26, the anniversary of the 19th Amendment, following a series of women’s strikes earlier in the decade.

Every U.S. president since Nixon has continued the tradition of proclaiming the holiday, with President Trump on Friday making this year’s proclamation.