WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) announced she will serve as Vice Chair and co-founder of the Servicewomen and Women Veterans Congressional Caucus (SWWV).
Following the record-setting arrival of four women veterans in the House – the largest number ever – the formation of the caucus is intended to foster collaboration among House members and address issues facing America’s servicewomen and women veterans.
“We come together today to establish this caucus because we don’t want to be the last to fill these shoes,” Congresswoman Luria said. “When I served as a nuclear-trained Surface Warfare Officer, there weren’t many women who served alongside me, but that is changing rapidly. I look forward to seeing the next generation of women veterans in Congress.”
There are more than a dozen congressional caucuses that address issues facing servicemembers and/or veterans, but none that is geared toward addressing issues facing the fastest growing cohort in our nation’s military: women. As the number of women who serve our country grows, Congress must do more to support them.
This is the first caucus dedicated to women servicemembers and veterans and their concerns. The caucus is bipartisan and open to all members of Congress; to date, there are 51 members. Congresswoman Luria will serve alongside Caucus Chair Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06) and fellow Vice Chairs Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02) and Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11).
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I have questions about this. Look, I know I am an old school old f*-t, but is this a forward or backwards move? Equality, women’s lib and all that got women to the front lines in the military. Fine. We all accept that, right ? It may bristle a feather or two here or there, but there ware ways to trim those feathers. Congress and all our legal eagles followed the demand of the people and made everyone equal. Now we have several congressional representatives forming a group of females for females ? Frankly I can’t believe it’s even being considered, much less they are taking pride in it. I believe our congressional representatives ran for office and were elected because they represented to us that they could properly voice equality and proper representation for all. The creation of an identity group like this appears flat out sexist to me. The service women should be properly represented as proud and deserving members of our armed forces. The fact that they are women should not give them different identification, or any more or less special treatment. Aren’t we supposed to be getting past this sort of thing ? I can just imagine my namesake forming an “old boys club” on Capitol Hill. Do I think Elaine Luria would be ramming a nuclear submarine down it’s chimney ? Just who is the progressive here ? I think democrat Ms. Luria is taking 2nd seat to this old school socially responsible republicrat in that regard.
US women are citizens, thus they are protected by the Constitution.
Period, full stop.
No need for special categories.
Unless one thinks that they are powerless and weak. Then they would need special protection.
So which is it?
“I am woman hear me roar” or “Dahling, get me my smelling salts”.
FWIW, I know which one we go by in this household and the only “salty” thing is the language.