Shaheen Statement on Report that Trump Transition is Seeking Information on All “Gender-Related” Programs at the State Department

(Manchester, NH)— U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), who will become the highest ranking woman on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in the 115th Congress, released the following statement in reaction to today’s report that the Trump transition team instructed the State Department to turn over all information on staffing, programming and funding for programs that promote women’s equality around the world.

“In light of previous requests made by the Trump transition team, today’s report that the incoming administration is requesting all information related to State Department programs that promote gender equality is concerning and the transition team should clarify their intent,” said Senator Shaheen. “Women and girls’ equality is transformative for communities and economies, and the existing State Department programs have achieved great successes to advance education access for girls, protect women from trafficking, end child marriage, and combat gender-based violence. These are vital foreign policy programs that promote stability, peace and development around the world. I pledge to work with the incoming Administration to advance policies that support and protect women and girls worldwide, but I can promise that if the next administration intends to roll back programs designed to lift women up, it will very quickly meet stiff opposition in the Senate.”