BOSTON – During her first #Bold100 Days in office serving the people of the Massachusetts 7^th congressional district, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) demonstrated a steadfast commitment to implementing her Equity Agenda by bringing those closest to the pain, closest to the power.

“These unprecedented times call for unprecedented legislating and unprecedented leadership,” said Congresswoman Pressley. “It is up to us to change the legacy of the Massachusetts 7^th so that it is no longer one of the most unequal districts in the country. As I look back on my first 100 days, I am so honored, grateful, and emboldened that the 7^th entrusted me to represent them in the halls of Congress. I am committed to continue working in partnership with community, so we can harness innovation; create space for those left out and left behind; and elevate critical issues impacting the 7^th.”

While starting a Congressional career amidst the longest government shutdown presented unique circumstances, Congresswoman Pressley immediately sought justice for low-wage government contract workers who were being adversely affected by the shutdown. Within the first two weeks of congress, she introduced her first bill, the Fair Compensation for Low Wage Contractor Employees Act, which would provide backpay to government contract workers, including food service, custodial, and security officers, for wages lost during the 35-day shutdown. The bill, H.R. 678,  is bicameral and bipartisan: with 48 Senators and nearly 70 Representatives in support.

During her first #Bold100 days into the transformative new Democratic House Majority, Congresswoman Pressley made strong progress to deliver on her promises to the district:

Bold Legislating

• She cosponsored 115 bills including bills to end the separation of families at the border, combat climate change, end homelessness, develop reparations proposals, establish a Medicare for All national health system, and lower the cost of prescription drugs
• She was a lead sponsor of  H.R. 2148 the Be HEARD in the Workplace Act – comprehensive legislation that aims to combat workplace harassment and discrimination
• She was a lead sponsor of the American Housing and Economic Mobility Act with Senator Warren which would make housing more affordable and reverse decades of redlining and other discriminatory banking policies
• She introduced an amendment to lower the federal voting age from 18-years-old to 16-years-old, inviting young people, who are actively protesting and mobilizing around the country, to have a seat at the table of democracy
• She helped pass historic H.R. 1 legislation to clean up corruption and restore ethics to Washington
• She helped pass strong and bipartisan background checks legislation to help end the gun violence epidemic
• She helped pass landmark paycheck fairness legislation to secure equal pay for equal work, regardless of gender differences  
• She supported legislation for the people, including
  • The Equality Act to end discrimination against LGBTQIA Americans,
  • The Dream and Promise Act to protect America’s courageous and patriotic Dreamers and TPS holders
  • The Voting Rights Advancement Act to restore the sacred right to be heard at the ballot box
  • The Green New Deal to recognize the need to address the existential crisis of climate change
  • The Raise the Wage Act to increase the federal minimum wage and give roughly 40 million Americans a boost in their paychecks

Bold Activism

• On the House Floor, she amplified the stories of survivors of domestic violence, including her mother Sandy, by speaking on the record in support of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act
• In partnership with community advocates and constituents, she drafted and submitted nearly 200 requests to fund critical programs including School Based Health Centers, Head Start and affordable child care programs, the Housing Choice Voucher Program, CDC research on gun violence, modernized reentry programming for formerly incarcerated women, and biomedical research funding to supports hospitals, colleges and universities across the Massachusetts 7^th  
• She stood in solidarity with immigrant families by rejecting any additional funding to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
• She sponsored a bill to award the first black player in the NHL and former Boston Bruin Mr. Willie O’Ree with a Congressional Gold Medal  
• She joined several bipartisan caucuses, including
  • The Taskforce on Black Youth Suicide and Mental Health,
  • Named a founding member of the Black Maternal Health Caucus, and
  • Serves as the Co-Chair of the bipartisan Congressional Bike Caucus

Bold Accountability:

• She uncovered President Trump’s alleged illegal use of charity funds during her questioning of Michael Cohen which led to a formal investigation by the Financial Services Committee
• She engaged in hearings on a number of issues of consequence, including  housing, community reinvestment, climate change and criminal justice reform
• She questioned the Credit Reporting Agencies on their efforts to repair the broken credit reporting system
• She authorized subpoenas to investigate Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross’s inclusion of a citizenship question on the 2020 census
• She protested President Trump’s fake National Emergency and voted to overturn his declaration

Over the next 100 days, Congresswoman Pressley is focused on building movements in the 7^th, engaging her constituents to proactively solve the inequities and disparities affecting the community. From criminal justice reform, to working to close the wealth gap, to improving reproductive healthcare, Congresswoman Pressley will continue to elevate community voices in Congress and advance policies that create real impact for people in the 7^th District.

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