Women In Politics Magazine: A Crack In Democracy

WOMEN IN POLITICS MAGAZINE

A demo

in cracy Feb. 2021

Editors Note It’s February. I know you’ve heard enough about the capitol siege.

I know you want to move on and possibly heal with our new administration. I am sure you don’t want to relive the attack on our democracy but we, as a nation, must reflect on these disheartening events in order to mend our wounds.

January 6th was not surprising. Former President Donald Trump’s flawed rhetoric directly incited the attack on our country’s capital, this we know. January 6th was, however, devastating for our nation.

I felt defeated. Hopeless. Asking myself, how was it even possible that insurrectionists got into the capitol, the beloved people’s building? How was this nation still tolerating white supremacy and the rapid spread of misinformation? How was this the state of America, the supposed leader and example of global democracy? How did we let this happen? How??

Now it’s February, and I find myself asking, what are America’s next steps forward? Yes, we have a new administration in the White House, but the crack in our democracy is deeper than surface level. It’s deeper than the Oval Office, the resilient Congresspeople, and the protectors of our constitution. Fundamentally, this is us—This is American society. The insurrectionists are a manifestation of decades of the American people rejecting the authority of government and experts alike. Donald Trump did not invent the ideas of white supremacy, xenophobia, mistrust of the press, and the undermining of constitutional democratic practices. He only fanned the fire of those already instituted beliefs inside people and watched the nation burn because of it.

Our nation has seen some of its darkest days in the past year. Days that began with heavy sighs while staring at the news, and days that ended with video chatting loved ones to make sure they are “still hanging in there” in quarantine. Days that were filled with uncertainty, division, and fear, and while some of those days are still occurring in the present and will certainly persist in the future, we carry the strength of knowing democracy can prevail. The strength of us as a people does in fact, carry power. We can also confirm now, that this democracy is dependent on the intelligence of its leaders. Those who hold the fate of this nation in their hands, must do so delicately, deliberately, and compassionately. They must commit to putting out the dormant fires lying in some Americans with structural change, or else we will see repeated attacks on our democratic principles.

At Women In Politics, we encourage you to be part of the change. We are the next generation of leaders, and these structural reforms may fall into our hands. Never lose sight of what this country could be and the promising foundation it already has. We hope you enjoy our February issue, which is filled with young minds cultivating this optimistic ambition.

Ella-Stillion Southard

BIDEN'S PLANS

FOR

WOMEN

Regan Mading

THE BLUE WAVE: THE NEW SENATE MAJORITY

STORMING OF

Mary Corey

THE CAPITOL--AN ATTACK ON DEMOCRACY

Manya Kodali

OSSOFF AND WARNOCK: HISTORIC

BIDEN'S

VICTORIES AND A

GIRL POWER

CABINET PICKS

IN THE 117TH

FLIPPED SENATE

Andrea Montenegro

Hanna Matsukawa

RECAPPING A MEMORABLE INAUGURATION

Anna Cernich

FEBRUARY 2021

CONGRESS

Shreya Rajappa

THE COVID-19 VACCINE: FACT OR FICTION?

Gabby Scott

Biden's Biden's Plan Plan for for Women Women

By Regan Mading With Joe Biden having been deemed one of the most progressive presidents in history, and Kamala Harris being not only the first woman of color but also the first woman to ever take office as Vice President., it is no surprise that the Biden-Harris administration has big plans for the womens rights movement.

Biden has pledged to put women in leadership positions in his cabinet and also appoint women, and women of color, to the Supreme Court. many of his plans and promises prove that Biden won’t let the fact that he is another white male president hold him back from being one of the most poignant presidents for women's progress in history.

Joe Biden will not only have to lead the country out of the darkness that we are in as of now but also into a new era of light and progress.

Once we reach that new era, here is whatBiden has plans to do for women.

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This article is essentially a summary a page on the Biden Harris campaign website, so if you want a more in-depth idea of everything, head over there.

The main things that Biden stresses in his plans for women are Economic Security and Safety, two crucial things that women around the world and in the United States have been needing for a long time.Biden intends to achieve these goals by assembling a White House Council of Gender Equality.

He also has plans to pass the Equal Rights Amendment, make efforts to close the wage gap, support and invest in women-owned small businesses, make education more accessible and work to end rape culture and things that support and uphold it.

The main thread that ties all of these initiatives together is women's safety, both literally and financially, and Biden has many plans that involve actual bills and laws to ensure that this can be achieved. In his first 100 days, Biden plans to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act and ensure that guns are kept out of the hands of abusers.

Biden is invested in women's issues and working towards gender equality, and for the next four years of his presidency, it is going to be fascinating to see what steps he takes to get there.

One of the main things that Biden stresses is the importance of having people that lead the country “look like the country they serve.� This ties into Biden's decision for picking an all-female communications team.

POC, women, and members of the LGBTQ community must be included and represented in the Biden administration team.

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The Blue Wave: What Democrats Can and Can’t do With Their New Senate Majority

By Mary Corey In November, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris were elected president and vice president, respectively. On that same election night in November, it became clear that, although Democrats unexpectedly lost seats in the House of Representatives, they would maintain their majority there. The Senate was not such a clear picture. With Democrats doing worse than expected overall in the November election and control of the Senate riding on two runoff elections in Georgia, Democrats weren’t too hopeful about gaining a Senate majority. But in the special election on January 5, both Democratic candidates won, and Democrats found themselves with the smallest possible majority they could have in the Senate.

Because of the Georgia runoff election results, Democrats now hold 50 seats in the Senate, with Republicans holding the other 50. Vice President Kamala Harris, a Democrat, can vote in the event of a tie, effectively giving Democrats the majority in both houses of Congress and the presidency.

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This new Democratic majority, however, doesn’t give them as much power as many might think. If even one Democratic senator doesn’t vote with the rest of their party, policies cannot pass without any Republican support. And getting all 50 Democratic senators to vote together at any one time will prove difficult due to Covid related absences and deep divides within the Democratic party.

Despite all belonging to the same party, the new majority’s senators have many ideological differences. Those senators from red and swing states have a more moderate voter base they must appeal to in order to be reelected. Other Democrats disagree with the party’s progressive wing. Either way, because the Democrats can’t afford to lose even one vote, many of the more liberal policies and the policies Biden ran on during his campaign have little hope of becoming a reality, even with the slim Democratic majority.

The main obstacle in Democrats' way when trying to pass legislation is the filibuster.

This strange procedural rule in the Senate requires 60 votes to end debate on a bill and vote on it, making it incredibly difficult to pass even the most basic legislation.

Eliminating or reforming the filibuster would require all Democrats to be on board. Still, a few more moderate members of the party have shown reluctance towards the idea and at least one, Joe Manchin of West Virginia, has explicitly said he would do nothing of the sort. With the filibuster in place, many policies central to Biden’s campaign, such as liberalizing immigration laws, raising the minimum wage to $15, and statehood for D.C and Puerto Rico, are out of the question.

Other policies intended to expand participation in the democratic process, including automatic voter registration and anti-gerrymandering laws, also are off the agenda. Furthermore, the large-scale healthcare reforms many were hoping for from the Biden presidency will be nearly impossible.

But all hope is not lost; there is still much the Biden administration can accomplish with this Senate. A significant victory for Democrats is the new president’s ability to appoint judges and cabinet secretaries with relatively little pushback. Although packing the court is no longer a possibility, Biden should have little trouble getting his cabinet confirmed and filling any Supreme Court seats that become vacant from now until the midterms, specifically a possible replacement for 82year-old Justice Stephen Bryer.

Besides, there are ways around the filibuster. A budget maneuver called reconciliation will allow Democrats to pass some legislation with their bare majority. But reconciliation bills are subject to a set of complex requirements outlined in the Byrde Rule. In simple terms, this rule requires legislation to be budgetary in order to pass with a simple majority. This means that the new Democratic majority in the Senate can do things that follow the Byrde Rule and can be considered reconciliation ,such as expanding the Affordable Care Act, helping low-income Americans in states without Medicaid afford health insurance, and reducing the cost of expensive prescription drugs. The Byrde Rule also will allow Democrats to pass more expansive economic relief, including the $2000 stimulus checks that continue to grow in popularity as the pandemic rages on. Even with limited legislative power, the new Democratic majority in the Senate is still a gamechanger for the Biden administration, allowing him to deliver on some of his promises to the American people.

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THE STORMING OF THE CAPITAL:

An Attack on Democracy

By Manya Kodali

After a contentious election marred by declarations of fraud and a myriad of legal battles, the nation awaited 2021, hoping for peace and a calmer political climate. Just six days into the new year however, those hopes were dashed as thousands of pro-Trump rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol, where a joint session of Congress had just begun the Electoral College vote count.

the president directly called on people to “stop the steal.” As the event ended, thousands began to make their way over to the Capitol —just as lawmakers gathered to count Electoral College votes.

The day started with President Trump holding a “Save America” rally to garner support for his claims of election fraud and demand that Vice President Mike Pence and Congress reject President-elect Biden’s victory.

Speakers included Eric Trump, Donald Trump Jr., and Rudy Giuliani. President Trump himself spoke for over an hour, making heated comments, such as “Our country has had enough.” Amidst baseless claims of false voters and calls to overturn the election results,

Demonstrators broke through police barriers, yelling “push forward, push forward” as an insufficient police force appeared to fire flash-bang grenades into the air. The group managed to break into the building, waving “Trump 2020” flags, chanting, and playing Trump’s speeches through speakers. They swarmed through the halls, breaking into various offices, stealing personal effects, and smashing furniture.

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The country watched in horror as news sites across the nation filmed rioters scaling the walls and desecrating our nation’s center of democracy. All the while, President Trump did nothing more than tweet, asking crowds to remain peaceful.

Lawmakers were forced to barricade themselves in the House chamber, fearing for their lives and preparing to don gas masks. Representatives took to Twitter, calling for an end to the violence. Representative Steve Cohen of Tennessee yelled to Republicans, “Call Trump, tell him to call off his revolutionary guards.”

After hours of looting and violence, Pentagon officials deployed the National Guard to D.C. 1,100 troops of the D.C. National Guard along with 200 Virginia State Troopers were sent to various points around Washington to quell the violence, wearing protective gear but initially unarmed. President-elect Biden made statements to the public, calling on President Trump to strongly denounce the violence and stating that, “our democracy is under an

unprecedented assault, unlike anything we’ve seen in modern times.

An assault on the citadel of liberty, the Capitol itself.” Shortly after, President Trump posted a video to Twitter. Rather than focusing on the siege of the Capitol, he urged his supporters to respect law enforcement and reiterated claims of fraudulence. Towards the end, he said, “So go home. We love you. You’re very special,” finally adding a request for the rioters to leave. The video drew immediate backlash across the country, with lawmakers and citizens decrying President Trump’s refusal to truly decry the violence. The language used

in his video was especially striking when compared to his past harsh criticism of largely peaceful protests on racial equality, drawing national disapproval.

Hours later, troops managed to clear rioters from the grounds. In a move that was interpreted by many as an attempt to raise tensions of the mob, President Trump tweeted again, telling his followers to “Go home with love & in peace.

Remember this day forever!” The tweet was later removed for violating company rules.

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Just hours after the jarring events, Congress readjourned to complete the vote count. Speaker Nancy Pelosi vowed that the attack would not deter lawmakers from doing their duty and validating the election of Joe Biden. During the vote, many representatives made remarks of their own, unequivocally condemning the actions of the mob.

Senator Mitt Romney stated that “What happened here today was an insurrection, incited by the president of the United States.” He was amongst the first lawmakers to directly name the President as a cause for the attack.

The following days saw a flurry of activity: President Trump was banned from, or locked out of various social media platforms, the Department of Justice arrested a number of rioters, senators and house representatives took to social media to speak of the terrors they’d faced, many called for Vice President Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment to remove Trump from office.

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As the country processed the events, it became increasingly clear that the attack was not just a protest. It was an act of domestic terrorism. The crowd came prepared with riot gear, guns, bombs, and a chilling thirst for revenge—revenge on an election they baselessly deemed unfair, revenge on innocent lawmakers gathered to perform their civic duty, revenge on behalf of a president who has forsaken his duty to provide peace in times of unrest for personal gain.

Our country was forced to watch as the very center of democracy, liberty, and our Constitutional freedoms was debased.

The response from the Pentagon, our Commander in Chief, and the head of the police wasn’t just lacking. It was nonexistent for hours.

The public witnessed a complete failure at almost every level of leadership to stop the violence. In the aftermath, people looked for someone to blame.

Fingers have largely pointed at President Trump himself. After condemning November’s results for months, he gathered his supporters at our nation’s capital. Through speeches and tweets, President Trump has actively called on his followers to fight. He repeatedly failed to denounce their actions nor did he make any attempt to protect the foundations of our Constitution. His actions were the performance of a man unwilling to perform not just his elected duties but also the duties of any American citizen interested in preserving their own freedoms.

January 6, 2021 is forever etched into the minds of all Americans. As President Trump’s time in office ends, America faces a long path towards healing— not just from this terrorism itself but from the longsimmering dissent that has brought our nation to this point. Politicians now have the responsibility and opportunity to lead in the opposite direction by ending harmful rhetoric, prosecuting all those involved in inciting an assault on our democracy, and defending the country they swore to serve.

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HISTORIC VICTORIES AND A FLIPPED SENATE By Hanna Matsukawa

While much of the country went to sleep on January 6, 2021, shocked by the overt fragility of American democracy seen at the attack on the U.S. Capitol, that same morning many Americans had woken up with nervous expectations for Georgia’s two senate election runoffs and their implications for the future.

For the past few decades, Georgia has safely been a Republican-dominated state, but with increasing voter mobilization and a political shift over the past four years, Georgia surprised the nation with a majority vote for Democratic president Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election. This blue shift in sentiment also appeared when neither Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate from Georgia could get 50% of the necessary votes that same November. As political tension in the United States grew, two separate runoff elections were scheduled for January 5, 2021.

The nation (or at least those politically inclined) watched Georgia with bated breath while activists once again worked to increase voter turnout. The consequence? Control of the Senate. If either Jon Ossoff or Rev. Raphael Warnock lost to David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler respectively, the Senate would remain in the hands of a Republican majority led by Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell. If against the odds, both Ossoff and Warnock were elected into office, the Senate would be flipped. Through the hard-earned efforts of Stacey Abrahms, Cliff Albright, LaTosha Brown, and many more, the improbability of such a result became a reality as the election results filtered in on January 6. Georgia had elected two Democratic Senators to office and consequently had taken control of the Senate.

Jon Ossoff and Rev. Raphael Warnock are the first Democratic Senators from Georgia since Senator Zell Miller in 2000. Before running for office, Ossoff was an investigative journalist working as CEO of Insight TWI, a media production company whose work has helped expose the actions of ISIS, political corruption around the world, and organized crime. At 33, Ossoff is the youngest U.S. senator in office. He is also the first Jewish Senator to be elected in Georgia.

Perhaps more notable are the historic boundaries broken by Rev. Raphael Warnock. Rev. Warnock is the first black person to be elected as a Senator from Georgia, in fact, he is the first black Senator elected from any of the Southern states. Rev. Warnock grew up in public housing in Savannah, Georgia with eleven siblings and, according to his campaign website, plans to “bring to Washington the concerns of struggling Georgia families who wonder why no one is looking out for them�.

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In an interview with Good Morning America, Rev. Warnock acknowledged the history and importance of Ossoff and his victories, saying, “We are sending an African American pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church where Martin Luther King Jr. served. And also Jon Ossoff, a young Jewish man, the son of an immigrant to the U.S. Senate. This is the reversal of the old Southern strategy that sought to divide people.� Their victories not only made Senate history but have likely helped pave the way towards a historical term of presidency. With Joe Biden and Kamala Harris in the Executive office, a Democratic majority House, and a 50-50 split Senate with Vice-president Harris as the tie-breaker, the Democratic party now has a trifecta (control of both the Legislative and Executive branches).

COVID-19 remains the most pressing issue of the next administration but with a Democrat-controlled government, actions towards more inclusive healthcare and clean energy are more likely to be passed.

The victories of Jon Ossoff and Rev. Raphael Warnock, who campaigned on such issues and promises of affordable healthcare and action against climate change, are a significant factor in the effectiveness of the incoming administration. Pushing aside the cynicism and with an ounce of hope, these next four years could bring about necessary change in the United States.

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REPRESENTATION IN BIDEN'S CABINET By Andrea Montenegro It oftentimes feels like history is something outside of one’s self. A different world is encapsulated within hastily written words blackand-white pictures, or a forgotten piece of art. Yet, we tend to forget that moments in history were experienced by real, breathing people; not just some detached characters in a school textbook.

History is not only in the past, but is also being made in the present. The most current example: Joe Biden’s future cabinet.

Biden’s cabinet, if confirmed, will make history as the first cabinet in American history with an equal number of men and women. It is also being labeled as one of the most racially and ethnically diverse cabinets in recent years. This coming as a delivery on Biden’s promise to “keep [his] commitment that the administration, both in the White House and outside of the Cabinet, is going to look like the country.”

Though the representation of minorities and women continues to be an issue in politics, this marks a momentous occasion in our history.

Let’s look at 5 of the 12 diverse women Biden has nominated to be a part of his historic cabinet.

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1. DEB HAALAND

Congresswoman Deb Haaland represents the 1st District of New Mexico in the House of Representatives. Haaland, a Laguno Pueblo Native American, became involved in politics because she “wanted more Native Americans to go out and vote.” She graduated from the University of New Mexico (UNM) with a Bachelor’s degree in English in 1994, and went on to acquire a Juris Doctorate in Indian Law from the UNM School of Law in 2006. While serving as the San Felipe Pueblo tribal administrator from 2013 to 2015, Haaland began volunteer work with the goal of getting Native populations to vote. Her volunteering made her realize that she wanted to achieve higher positions to have a bigger impact on her community. Despite an unsuccessful run for Governor in 2014, Haaland became the head of the New Mexico Democratic Party in 2015.

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Shortly after finishing her term as chair of her party, Haaland decided to run for Congress . Her campaign in 2018 was successful, making Haaland would be on of the first Native American women to serve in the House of Representatives. Now, 3 years later, Haaland is set to become the first Native American to lead the Department of the Interior, which holds jurisdiction over natural parks, reserves, and natural resources. It is also the very agency that played a role in forcibly relocating and oppressing indigenous people.

The gravity of this appointment has not gone unnoticed. If Haaland is confirmed, this will be the first time in American history that the Bureau of Indian Affairs will be overseen by a Native person.

2. AVRIL HAINES

When looking over Avril Haines’ credentials, it’s easy to assume she has done it all.

Haines, the daughter of two scientists, graduated from the University of Chicago with a Bachelor’s degree in theoretical physics. However, she did not pursue a career in science, instead, she opened up Adrian’s Book Cafe with her husband.

During her time co-owning the shop in the 90’s, Haines became the president of the Fells Point Business Association, a role she would give up -along with her bookstore- to pursue a law degree from Georgetown University. After obtaining her degree, Haines worked as a clerk in the United States Court of Appeals 6th Circuit from 2002 to 2003. She then went on to work on international treaties at the State Department and joined the Senate Foreign Relations Committee led by Biden in 2007. When Biden became vice-president Haines was given a position as the National Security Council’s legal adviser and president’s assistant in the Obama administration.

During this time, Haines became highly-regarded by those around her. After working for three years under Obama, Haines was given the role of Deputy Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) -the second-highest role within the CIA. She was the first woman to hold this position, but lost it during the transition to the Trump Administration in 2016. During the time of the Trump administration, Haines would go on to become a Senior Research Scholar at Columbia University, a Senior Fellow at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, a member of the National Commission on Military, National, and Public Service, and a principal at WestExec Advisors. Now, under the Biden administration, Haines will become the first female Director of National Intelligence.

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3. CECILIA ROUSE

Cecilia Rouse, an accomplished economist, graduated from Harvard with a doctorate’s (P.h.D.) in economics. Rouse, though interested in math, was drawn to economics for the social aspect, as her field of study allowed her to look at society's problems from an analytical standpoint. She began working at Princeton in 1992 as an assistant professor, but took a brief absence from her position in 1998 to serve on Bill Clinton’s National Economic Council (NEC). The NEC works to advise the President on economic policy decision-making, organize the making of policies to fix domestic and international economic issues, and much more. During her year in the NEC, Rouse was able to negotiate on an immigration bill she had personally worked on. This would be Rouse’s first, but not last, time in public service (or the White House). Though she continued to work at Princeton, Rouse was also given a position in Obama’s Council of Economic Advisers (CEA) from 2009 to 2011.

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During Rouses’ time at the CEA, she introduced and analyzed policies that helped alleviate devastating unemployment -a product of the economic recession in those years.

Additionally, she used her expertise in education economics to pass legislation that increased government support for postsecondary education institutions. The Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act (SAFRA) helped regulate processes for student loans while simultaneously putting funds into financial aid programs.

After working for the Obama administration, Rouse was promoted to the position of Dean of Princeton School of Public and International Affairs, a position she has held since then. Now, she has been picked by Biden to lead his own CEA. If she is confirmed, she will be the first Black person to lead the CEA.

4. KATHERINE TAI Katherine Tai began her career shortly after receiving a BA in History from Yale in 1996 and a JD from Harvard in 2001. For two years, Tai worked as an English teaching fellow in China for the Yale-China Association. Following this, she worked at various different law firms, as well as clerked at Maryland and D.C. District courts, until being offered a position in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative in 2007. After four years working as an associate general counsel, Tai became Chief Counsel for China Enforcement. In this position, she helped bring America’s conflict with China to a court of law through the World Trade Organization (WTO). Tai would go on to enter the U.S. House of Representatives as a trade counsel for the Committee on Ways and Means, where she provided her insight on the country’s budgetary proposals and means of collection.

She became the Chief Trade Counsel in 2017 and has remained in that position ever since. One of Tai’s most notable achievements was when she negotiated between Democrats and the Trump administration on a new trade deal with Mexico. This trade deal, the USMCA, was crucial in stabilizing trade with Mexico after the Trump administration backed out of the North American Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Biden has nominated Tai as his administration’s U.S. trade representative. Tai will be the first woman of color and Asian American trade representative.

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5. JANET YELLEN

Janet Yellen’s is nothing short of impressive. Yellen graduated from Brown University with a degree in economics, and subsequently earned her P.h.D from Yale University. In 1976, Yellen worked as an assistant professor of economics at Harvard. A year later, she was working as an economist for the Federal Reserve Board of Governors. A year after that she returned to teaching with a position as a lecturer at the London School of Economics and Political Science. In 1980, she became a professor at the University of California Berkeley's Haas School of Business, where she taught macroeconomics and conducted research. During this time, Yellen was awarded various accolades for her teaching. In 1994, Yellen briefly left her position at Berkeley to serve on the Federal reserve’s Board of Governors. Her leave of absence was extended in 1997, when she became Bill Clinton’s CEA -a position she held until 1999. Yellen continued to teach until 2004, when she was nominated as the president of San Francisco’s Federal Reserve System or “the Fed”. In 2010, Yellen was appointed vice-chair of the Fed’s Board of Governors. She would then go on to become the chair of the Fed under the Obama administration, the first woman to do so. Yellen left this position in 2018, when Trump chose not to renominate her. Now, under the Biden administration, Yellen will be the first woman to be named secretary of the Treasury.

The representation of women and minorities is something to be celebrated.

However, it is important to remember that this is not the best America can do.

Women, despite making up half of the cabinet, hold a majority of lower-level positions. It has also been noted that Asian and Pacific representation is not present enough. Just because women are equal in numbers, does not mean that they are equal in influence. We must continue to advocate for the presence of women -and minorities- in politics.

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GIRL POWER IN THE 117TH CONGRESS

By Shreya Rajappa Progressing from being homemakers to household names, women have fought tooth and nail for the rights and opportunities they have today. Think of Sojourner Truth, who after escaping from slavery and the tolling physical labor and violent punishments that came along with it, went on to tour the nation and deliver impassioned speeches, including “Ain’t I A Woman?”, bolstering the abolitionist and women’s suffrage movements. Or, consider the feminist artist, Frida Kahlo, who launched the destigmatization of abortion, miscarriages, breastfeeding, and birth using only a paintbrush and her artistic prowess. We can’t forget Malala Yousafzai, risking her life to attend school in Pakistan and continuing to advocate for all women’s right to education after getting shot by the Taliban in retaliation for her activism at the tender age of 15.

Looking up to these lion-hearted, trailblazing women as examples when they were young, the 141 women, including 51 women of color, who have been elected to the new 117th U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, will serve as examples of what it means to be a congresswoman and a woman in general for future generations. In setting a record for the number of women in Congress, they are making Ruth Badger Ginsburg, who once said “women belong in all places where decisions are being made,” proud.

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While every congresswoman is a femme fatale in her own way, there are some we should keep a close eye on during this term and throughout their political careers. Here are six congresswomen who have been noted as the most influential women in Congress or who demonstrate great potential for becoming representatives of note as they further their political involvement in the coming years.

One congresswoman who has been on everyone’s radar is Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, known to the masses as AOC. Working as a waitress and bartender, AOC had no prior experience in government when she ran for a Democratic House seat in New York’s 14th congressional district in 2018, but this was exactly why the grassroots movement, Brand New Congress, saw her as a candidate worthy of their support since they wanted regular people with regular jobs to speak up for the interests of other regular people. Motivated to run by her experience with socioeconomic equality in the Bronx, she impressively bested a 10-term incumbent, Joe Crowley.

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As a Latinx woman of color in her 30s, she also provides representation for the younger generation and for people of color. However, AOC is not just a symbolic representative; she is an active, outspoken one who gets her hands dirty and the work done. As highlighted in her “2 Years in 2(ish) Minutes” video, she proposed an amendment to the House Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, moving $5 million from drug enforcement and reinvesting it in treatments for opioid use, passed a repeal of the Faircloth Amendment, allowing new, affordable public housing to be built, coauthored and introduced the Green New Deal, sponsored a tear gas ban, and authored the Just Society Package.

Considering that AOC cosponsored 78 bills, 14 of which have been signed into law, and co-sponsored 553 bills in her first term, it’s not surprising that she has brought up more amendments than 90% of the other freshmen in Congress, an awe inspiring feat that squashes her critics’ claims that she “tweets more than she legislates.” Taking snide remarks in stride from people in all sectors of the political compass, AOC shows us that the only requirement for making a difference in government is having a vision for a better future and loudly standing up for this vision. Experience, seniority, and approval from others are simply not needed and never will be.

Next up is Cori Bush, a freshman Democratic congresswoman who is not letting her greenness stop her from making revolutionary demands and positive change. While running for a Missouri House seat, Bush shared that she had never wanted to become involved in politics. That is, until Ferguson.

On August 9th, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri, Michael Brown, an 18-year-old black man, had the rest of his life unfairly stolen from him by the police. After marching in the streets during the following protest, Bush decided to run for Congress, finally being elected on her third attempt. Now, she is the first Black woman to represent Missouri on Capitol Hill. While running, she tirelessly advocated for the Black Lives Matter Movement, calling for an end to police officers’ qualified immunity and an end to police brutality.

After being sworn in, she’s continued to emphatically call for racial justice, condemning white supremacy. A vocal supporter of human rights legislation, Cori Bush wants to ban conversion therapy, mandate LGBTQIA+ inclusive education, guarantee healthcare for transgender people, abolish ICE, put an end to the gender wage gap by passing the Paycheck Fairness Act, pass Medicare For All, shut down private prisons in order to diminish incarceration, invest in public housing and education, and end the school-to-prison pipeline.

She will also support the Green New Deal by advocating for the goal of 100% renewable energy.

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Being strong when she shouldn’t have to be, she can also hold her own when facing inflammatory remarks from GOP congressmen, as shown by her laughing these comments off and simply stating that her long history of dealing with antagonizing statements from the right has prepared her well for Congress. Cori Bush gives us a model of what not giving up looks like and what not giving up can result in.

She shows that there is nothing radical about demanding better -- in fact, it’s imperative that we do so.

A fixture of Congress for years, Elizabeth Warren has become inarguably influential in the eyes of both her colleagues and the general public with power that she wields for good as a Democratic senator. Before she even became a senator, she proposed the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and served as a special advisor for this bureau during Obama’s presidency, giving her a name in politics. Then, in 2012, Elizabeth Warren became the first woman to be elected to the Massachusetts' senate seat, a landmark achievement.

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In addition to sponsoring or cosponsoring at least 220 bills since the start of her time in Congress and chairing the Congressional Oversight Panel, Elizabeth Warren has swayed her fellow Democratic representatives’ votes, taking the idea of “influence” to a literal level. For example, in 2012, Democrats discussed cutting Social Security, but Warren succeeded in convincing 42 out of 44 Democrats to vote “yea” on expanding Social Security benefits instead. In 2016, she obtained a seat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, a committee doling out great responsibilities. Her political career demonstrates her prowess in the financial aspects of government as she advocates for middle class families and holds Wall Street accountable. Additionally, she introduced the College Student Hunger Act of 2019, making lowincome college students eligible for benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. In her questioning at hearings, demands from big-money corporations, and 2019-2020 presidential campaign, she has demonstrated that assertiveness and a determination to never back down can take you far.

Transitioning to Republican congresswomen who have proved that they are forces to reckon with in their male-dominated party, Virginia Foxx is serving in the 117th House as a returning representative for North Carolina -- and a politician with extensive experience in government, serving in the NC state senate for 10 years beforehand. Currently a part of Republican House leadership, she is the Republican head of the House Committee on Education and Labor. Between 2013 and 2016, she was the Secretary of the House Republican Conference, further demonstrating that women belong in official leadership roles. Moreover, she provides evidence for women’s affinity for being leaders in all scenarios as the first 2004 freshman congressperson to introduce and pass a bill in the House.

Staying true to the values of the original Republican party, she makes political decisions based on her support for individual freedom and limited federal government. In both the 109th and 110th Congress, she was one of the few congresspeople who successfully signed their proposed legislation into law.

As the Chairwoman of the House Subcomittee for Higher Education, she strived to improve federal workforce training, and she introduced the HERO Act, expanding IRA benefits to American soldiers in combat and war-torn zones.

Additionally, she has voted in favor of bills that would increase disability compensation for veterans, further highlighting support for the armed forces.

A part of the American Legion Auxiliary, the largest women’s patriotic service group in the world, she couldn’t be more proud to be American if she was decked out in red, white, and blue.

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Giving misogynists a run for their money, Liz Cheney not only holds a spot in our list of influential congresswomen, but also holds strong as the third-highest ranking House Republican regardless of gender.

While serving as the House Republican Conference Chair is in itself a commendation to the respect she compels, she also serves on the House Armed Services Committee and the Natural Resources Committee and has recently been assigned to the Committee on Rules. In addition to sponsoring 67 bills and cosponsoring 257 bills during her time in office, Liz Cheney has also started a veterans’ history project that will allow the orally-given stories of Wyoming’s veterans to stand the test of time.

Sticking to her principles and showing bravery in opposing the majority of her party, Liz Cheney called out President Trump for his incitement of the January 6th insurrection and domestic terrorist attack on the Capitol and called for his impeachment. While her male counterparts are now calling for her resignation, she says that she’s “not going anywhere.” It takes dignity and a moral obligation to what’s right in order to put oneself at risk in this way, two traits that Representative Cheney no doubt exhibits, inspiring others to think for themselves and be leaders rather than blind followers.

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A perfect example of how “teamwork makes the dream work,” Jaime Herrera Beutler, a Republican House representative, is notable for her promotion of unity in an increasingly divided Congress. As the first Hispanic person to represent Washington State in the federal government, Beutler is also the only Republican woman of color in the House, adding a much-needed perspective to the conservative party. Living up to her rank as the 15th most bipartisan House Representative, she has worked constructively with both Democrats and Republican congresspeople, leading a bipartisan measure to provide hardship waivers for unemployed workers that was recently signed into law.

Transcending the House, her bipartisanship reaches the Oval Office, earning Democratic and Republican presidential support for her bills and the title of Washington State’s most effective Member of Congress.

Her goal in office is to protect Washington’s job sectors, maintaining jobs that pay well for her constituents and statewide economic prosperity. However, she doesn’t limit herself to labor issues, instead also speaking out during environmental catastrophes and for mothers everywhere. After she diplomatically obtained the support of every Pacific Northwestern representative, her bill that seeks to prevent the extinction of salmon and steelhead was signed into law. Additionally, she co-founded the Maternity Care Caucus, advocating for maternal and child health. Bills she has signed into law that demonstrate her fervor in this cause are a law that aims to prevent maternal mortality and her ACE Kids Act, which allows 300,000 children with complicated health conditions to access healthcare regardless of their families’ incomes or neighborhoods. As a result of her advocacy, the FDA is now working to prevent fatal birth defects in Hispanic people living in the U.S.A. Cooperation and teamwork are integral to leadership, something that Beutler will continue demonstrating for the younger generation as she ignores the red tape separating parties.

Keep your eyes peeled for these six congresswomen on the political scene because they’re going to make tidal waves in the near future. Encouraging more young girls to run for office while also advocating for every young girl out there and for the young girls they once were, these six congresswomen will make great strides for women’s representation in government. Every time one woman infiltrates a “boy’s club” and demands the rights she deserves, she paves the way for the next generation of girls to not only walk in her footsteps, but to field their own paths in the broadened range of opportunities that have been opened up to them because of her. Embodying the spirit of Rosie the Riveter, the woman dressed in blue while wearing a red-and-white polka dotted bandana against a yellow background, flexing her bicep while saying “We can do it!” on famous World War II posters, these six congresswomen did “it.” As we watch them shatter glass ceilings into millions of glittering shards, we’ll see that we can do it too.

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Faith, Fanfare, and Fireworks

RECAPPING

A MEMORABLE INAUGURATION The inauguration of the President and Vice President of The United States is traditionally the pinnacle of a very memorable day. This year’s inauguration of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris to the presidential and vice-presidential offices, however, was the pinnacle of much more than just a day. Their oath was the resolution of a chaotic week, the climax of a recordbreaking year, and the beginning of a new era in American politics.

For the Biden and Harris families, even a presidential inauguration wasn’t enough of an excuse to skip Church. Their day started off with Mass at Washington D.C’s Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle.

Biden, only the second Catholic president in U.S. history, ended his November 7th election victory speech with dialogue centered around maintaining truth and belief in the common good:

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By Anna Cernich

“So I remember as my grandpa said when I walked out of his home when I was a kid up in Scranton, he said: ‘Joey, keep the faith.’ And our grandmother, when she was alive, she yelled: ‘No, Joey, spread it.’ Spread the faith.”

One would hope that starting a presidency off with such a high valuation for both truth and trust is a direct indication of the potential for morality-dictated leadership throughout the next four years.

The duo’s arrival at the Capitol was, in and of itself, a spectacle, with a drawn-out standing ovation for President-Elect Biden as he walked up the iconic white steps of the Capitol building. After a few empowering fist bumps from Kamala Harris to former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Barack Obama, the swearing in began. Taking his oath on an uncharacteristically thick bible, Biden swore to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution, officially making him the 46th President of the United States.

Music staples Lady Gaga, Garth Brooks, and Jennifer Lopez delivered patriotic performances for the freshly-declared administration, but poet Amanda Gorman stole the show with her original work, titled “The Hill We Climb.” Gorman emphasized the importance of unity through accountability, quipping: “For while we have our eyes on the future / history has its eyes on us.” However, even amidst some of the nation’s most talented singers, poets, and celebrities, no one could match the fame or notability of Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders. Dressed snuggly in his green winter coat and hand-knit mittens, it took no time at all for Sanders to become an internet sensation.

Shortly after the public events of the day had concluded, President Biden signed his first three presidential documents: an Inauguration Day Proclamation and nominations to Cabinet and sub-Cabinet positions. He continued this productive streak as the day went on, later signing a handful of executive orders and directives to uphold campaign promises he had made along his journey to the White House.

The day ended with a firework display bright enough to let even the Martians know they were witnessing history. Whatever the next four years bring, this inauguration was one for the books. If the day is any reflection of the priorities of the new administration, the American people can expect a strong adherence to faith, perseverance in times of difficulty, and (most importantly) progress for the nation as a whole. On behalf of all of us here at Women in Politics, we wish the new President and Vice President a term filled with unity, equality, and peace.

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The Covid-19 Vaccine: Fact or Fiction

By Gabby Scott

With the quick release of multiple different COVID-19 vaccines, many rumors have circulated the media. I have researched the release, creation, and distribution of each of these misconceptions, and am determined to tell you what the unbiased truths behind these are.

Rumor: The vaccine was released too quickly to be safe.

This is actually false. While the vaccine was quickly developed, much of the research was done in 2003 during the first SARS epidemic. As the Coronavirus is a strain of SARS, technically named SARS-CoV-2, the ‘spike protein’ was discovered during the original 2003 outbreak, and since there was no spreading for much longer after, funding and research came to a halt.

Rumor: The vaccine contains a tracking device.

This is also false. While Facebook has been spreading misinformation and fear mongering adults already weary of the vaccine, it has been approved for use by the CDC and does not contain any sort of microchip. There are optional chips placed on the label of the vaccine, how

the vaccine does not affect your immune system Rumor: Taking and/or make you more prone to other illnesses.

This is correct! Since the vaccine is made of mRNA, which specifically targets the spike protein and tells the body to make more antibodies and become immune, it actually does not affect or heighten your chances of getting sick with anything else.

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Rumor:

Rumor:

There have been little to no safety checks for vaccines.

Herd immunity, or getting the virus, is safer than getting the vaccine.

This is false. The vaccine has gone through 3 phases of clinical trials, including testing on a small number of volunteers, to bigger groups with controls/placebos to monitor effects. Like all other vaccines, including your yearly flu shot, the vaccine undergoes rigorous checks before it can be deemed safe for the body, and few side effects have been discovered.

This rumor is also false. While many may suggest that the virus has a high survival rate, so it is easier to just contract the illness, this is not true.

For the same reason we get vaccinated for chickenpox instead of getting sick, it can cause lots of long term health benefits. In the case of chickenpox, the virus remains dormant, and you can see outbreaks of shingles later in your lifetime. In the case of COVID-19, it is not much different, with many of the people not fully regaining their taste or smell, and having increased heart difficulties post-contraction.

Now that you’ve learned a bit more about the vaccine, you may be wondering how you can get it. Because of the current limitations on numbers of vaccines produced, as well as the amount available to the US because they are in such high demand, vaccines are only currently available to healthcare workers and long term care facility residents. The next phase will include essential workers, people aged 75+, those with underlying medical conditions, and then everyone else. As the availability for the vaccine increases, so will those who are able to receive the vaccine.

Hopefully in the future COVID-19 will be in the past, and the vaccine will have stamped out all the restrictions we are faced with today.

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SROTAERC EHT TEEM

WOMEN IN POLITICS MAGAZINE Founder and Co-Exec. Director

Rebecca Joseph

Walnut Creek, CA | 14 years old

My name is Rebecca Joseph and I am a highschool sophomore from the Bay Area. I got interested in politics during my first year of high school where I joined the Speech and Debate team. From there I fell in love with the world of politics, but soon became aware of the lack of representation women were getting in the field. I wanted to be part of a community of teens who want to support each other and the younger generation to pursue a career in politics; however, I was unable to find anything, so I started Women In Politics. Now, four months later I have been blessed with an amazing team and I cannot wait for all we are going to accomplish.

Co-Exec. Director Katherine Bronov

Philadelphia, PA | 17 years old

My name is Katherine Bronov and I am an online high school senior from the suburbs of Philadelphia, PA. I have been passionate about politics since the start of high school and I have searched for organizations and clubs that interest me but found nothing until Women In Politics (WIP) caught my eye.

WIP is a very special organization and fascinatingly the first of its kind. I am so grateful to be a part of this team and work alongside girls that are just as enthusiastic about politics as I am and recognize the shortage of women in this important field. Please enjoy this issue!

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Kansas City, MI | 16 years old

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Long Island, NY | 16 years old

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