Shaheen Successfully Preserves Ambassador for Global Women's Issues in State Department Authorization Bill

(Washington, DC)—U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), the only woman on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has successfully amended the State Department Reauthorization Bill for FY2018 to preserve the Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues. The underlying legislation would have eliminated this position. The amended legislation passed the Committee by voice vote.

“Women and girls represent 50 percent of the global population. Their empowerment and protection must continue to be a top foreign policy priority of the United States,” said Shaheen. “It’s both practically and symbolically important that the position of Ambassador for Global Women’s Issues is maintained to prioritize gender issues in U.S. foreign policy. Eliminating this position would weaken our ability to have strong, productive political and economic relationships around the world. I’m very pleased that my amendment was accepted on a bipartisan basis. Today, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee reminded us all that ‘women’s rights are human rights’ and that they must be prioritized in our nation’s foreign policy.”

Shaheen is a leading voice in the Senate defending global women’s issues. She introduced the Global Health, Empowerment, and Rights (HER) Act, which would permanently repeal the Global Gag Rule, in January following President Trump's executive order. She also introduced the Keeping Girls in School Act to help address the unique barriers adolescent girls in developing countries face in accessing an education.