WASHINGTON, D.C. – In this week’s Republican address, House Republican Conference Vice Chair Lynn Jenkins (KS-02) discusses Women’s History Month and Republicans’ focus on expanding opportunity for all.

"The challenge we face is encouraging more women to put themselves forward – in public service, and in the private sector," Rep. Jenkins said. "That’s why, in Congress, Republicans are working every day to foster equal opportunity for all."

Items To Note:

• To watch Congresswoman Jenkins’ address, CLICK HERE. 
• For audio of the weekly address, CLICK HERE.

Remarks of Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins of Kansas
Weekly Republican Address
Washington, DC
March 12, 2016

In March, we celebrate Women’s History Month, and take the opportunity to focus on the progress we’ve made and the work ahead of us all. It often seems that when men look in the mirror, they see a Congressman staring right back at them. I know, firsthand, that it just isn’t the same for women. It isn’t until significant prodding from family and friends that most women even consider running for public office.

Even now, female Members make up only 20 percent of the U.S. House of Representatives, but that number is growing with every election. It is now possible to see the day when we no longer use “only” as a precursor when we speak to the number of women serving as elected officials. The challenge we face is encouraging more women to put themselves forward – in public service, and in the private sector. That’s why, in Congress, Republicans are working every day to foster equal opportunity for all.

We’ve improved the education system for our children – so that every child, male or female, has more choices and more tools to succeed. We’ve enacted the first real human trafficking reform in more than a decade – which means more resources to stop these horrific crimes, and more support for survivors as they work to rebuild their lives. We’ve created tax-free savings accounts for individuals with disabilities. And we’ve expanded middle-class college savings plans. Still, we have much more to do.

Right now, Republicans are working on a bold agenda to tackle the most important challenges women and families are facing. So if you’re a female entrepreneur trying to get your business off the ground, we’ll offer ideas to fix the tax code and rein in crippling red tape. If you’re a mother caring for a child or an aging parent, we will offer patient-centered solutions to improve access and quality of care and lower health care costs.  If you’re worried about the safety of the world we live in nowadays, we will offer ideas to protect our homeland and confront the national security threats we face. And Republicans will take on poverty, so we can empower everyone to live their own American Dream.

Together, we can build the confident America that both our daughters and our sons deserve. For now, I hope we all take a moment this month to celebrate the great women in our lives and our history. Thank you for listening.