The opinions expressed herein are those of the author, and not necessarily those of The New Agenda.

Some important elements of participation in the political process include the associations the politicians and elected officials make in order to advance a particular constituency that has specific needs and represents in itself a political force (in terms of numbers as potential voters, and in terms of economic critical mass).  These organizations build and coordinate efforts to pass legislation that  address specific needs of these groups.  Thus, we have the Congressional Black Caucus, the Hispanic Congressional Caucus. Likewise, the Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues is an organization that includes the Women Members of the House of Representatives. These associations can provide additional political clout to the groups they represent.

Even as I found the CCWI, I have to point out that I could not find a correspondent women’s organization to the National Association of Latino Appointed and Elected officials (the Congressional Caucus are only for congress people), or National Black Caucus Local elected officials.  These organizations encompass all kinds of elected and appointed officials, not only congress people like the congressional caucus. Thus, they can address different kinds of issues. There are some organizations, but not an encompassing one.

We should have the CCWI very much in mind, and contact their members in order to bring to them issues in which we want women to work together in a bipartisan way.   In March of this year, the CCWI presented its “Must Pass Agenda” which includes working domestically and abroad to: reduce maternal deaths, combat violence and sex trafficking of women and girls; on the economic front addressing barriers for women business owners and women in the workplace; women’s health needs and women in the military; education , and move forward to the senate to pass the “National Women’s History Museum Act” which has already been passed by the HR.

History:
The Congreswomen’s Caucus was formed in 1977, with 15 founding women members of congress to address issues from social security, child care, women’s training for jobs, and government contracting for women owned businesses. By 1981, the caucus was opened to male participation, renaming the organization CCWI.  After the largest number of women were elected for congress in 1993 (23, or 17% of the HR), in 1995 the Republican led congress voted to eliminate funding for the caucus organizations and their staff.

As Roll Call  describes in their editorial this May 19, most of the caucuses survived and continue working associated with non profit funding. The CCWI reorganized and meets regularly to work in a bipartisan manner to address women’s issues. The CCWI cites many successes in terms of legislation, such as:

The Pregnancy Discrimination Act,The Child Support Enforcement Act ,The Retirement Equity Act ,The Civil Rights Restoration Act ,The Women’s Business Ownership Act ,The Breast and Cervical Cancer Mortality Prevention Act ,The Mammography Quality Standards Act,The Family and Medical Leave Act,The Violence Against Women Act,The Commission on the Advancement of Women and Minorities in Science, Engineering, and Technology Development Act ,Reauthorization of the Mammography Quality Standards Act.

Interview with Cindy Hall,  president of Womens Policy Inc.
I had an interview today ( 5/27/2010) with Cindy Hall, president of  Women’s Policy, Inc. a non partisan organization that works closely with the Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues, and disseminates the work the caucus does in addition to generating a news letter and some women’s mentoring activities.

V: How effective is the CCWI in working together in a bipartisan way?

CH: Many people try to establish the comparison years ago and now. Today  every representative is included in the Caucus. It is a very diverse group. They represent the entire political spectrum. This makes it more challenging. But they have focused on Working on things they can come to an agreement. They decided not to deal with abortion.  and Not spend their time on something they don’t agree.

For example since 1977, they have focused on women’s health, awareness. Now they are focusing on awareness, education and research on women’s heart disease.  They passed the Heart for women act HR 1032.. They are working, and are determined that this bill is presented and passed in the senate.

V: It is not clear what role, if any, do women senators play in the caucus.

CH: Senate members do not participate, [the Caucus] Is not bicameral.  Theres only 17 women in the senate, so they don’t have a formal organization, and or relationship.  Sometimes they participate in the caucus initiatives in an informal way. The women in the House of representatives are many more, and they almost have no choice but to form a Caucus.

V: is there an association of women elected officials, correspondent to NALEO and NABLEO, that includes not only legistators but all elected and appointed women officials?

I am aware of numerous organizations like this, but at the local level. WILL women’s legislative lobby, The .National foundation for womens legislators. Center for American Women in Politics CAWP would be a good place to get this information.

V: why is it not called WCC (women’s Congressional Caucus), just like the HCC (Hispanic Congrerssional Caucus? Doesn’t this name CCWI (Congressional Caucus on Women’s Issues) give away some of the ownership of the caucus? I know it was changed to include men, but couldn’t men be invited and still keep ownership?

CH: Interesting observation!! Mhhh. ..They decided to make it more inclusive in their name, since they invited men to participate in it. Now  things have changes again and men cannot be members of the caucus, due to change in house rules, and the names remains the same.  But they always refer to it as the Women’s Caucus.

V: That’s something we women do…we are very generous, we tend to give away…

V:  is there a document where we can learn about their specific legislating agenda for 2010, and about their deliberations?

CH: They Don’t do not produce written documents on the. Issues.  They try to focus on discussing issues, and in some specific legislation they agree on..  For example .Another bill that has been  endorsed in the last congress and which they are determined to pass, is the women’s History Museum in the Mall,  in HR 1700  S2129.  The senate is yet to pass a bill on this.

V: Does the Women’s Caucus have a mentorship program or is it an issue to promote women in government? .  They Don’t have a budget for mentorship…and don’t think that the House rules would allow this.  Individually they do, but not a key activity. Meet with legislators from other country. However, our institute has a once a year activity with the WC;  the women’s members every year, spend a day shadowing with Girls scouts and Girls inc.

Individually they do mentor, but is not a key activity. They. Meet with legislators from other countries

V: Is there anything you would like to tell women?

CH: I want women to Know about our website, Women’s Policy, Inc, where our news report comes every week. We inform, we are not lobbyist. Want to encourage women; we need more women run for office…they should start early to get to the federal level.  It takes usually great time and starting at the local level, so in order to get to the federal level, they should start early.

the Caucus co-chairs for the 11^th Congress are, Reps. Jan Schakowsky and Mary Fallin.

The following information can be useful to women and women’s organizations, in order to present or advance issues to the Co-chairs of the CCWI, or the specific issue-Task force chairs.

The CCWI Task Force Co-Chairs,  for the 111th Congress

Women’s Health:
Reps. Lois Capps and Kay Granger

Women in the Military/Veterans:
Reps. Susan Davis and Mary Fallin

Women and the Economy/Business:
Reps. Allyson Schwartz and Cynthia Lummis

Violence Against Women:
Reps. Donna Edwards and Sue Myrick

International Women’s Issues:
Reps. Carolyn Maloney and Judy Biggert

Education:
Rep. Marcia Fudge

Women of Color:
Reps. Sheila Jackson Lee and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen

Young Women:
Reps. Tammy Baldwin and Shelley Moore Capito

Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues, Co-Chairs
Jan Schakowsky (D-IL)
Chicago Office
5533 N. Broadway
Chicago, IL 60640
Phone: (773) 506-7100
Fax: (773) 506-9202

Mary Fallin (R)
Oklahoma City District Office
120 N Robinson, Suite 100
Oklahoma City, OK 73102
Tel: (405) 234-9900 Fax: (405) 234-9909

Task force on Women’s Health:
Reps. Lois Capps
Washington, D.C.
1110 Longworth House Office
Washington D.C. 20515
Phone: (202) 225-3601
Fax: (202) 225-5632and

Kay Granger
320 CANNON HOB
WASHINGTON, DC 20515
PH. 202-225-5071
FAX 202-225-5683

Task force on Young Women:
Reps. Tammy Baldwin
2446 Rayburn Building
Washington DC 20515
(202) 225-2906
(202) 225-6942 Fax

Sources: Women of Congress Lay Out “Must Pass” Agenda for 2010
Women’s Policy Institute