|
Developing and advancing policies that enhance people’s freedom.
|
|
A message from Independent Women's Forum President Carrie Lukas:
Hello friend,
Everyone at Independent Women’s Forum hopes this update finds you healthy and safe. Like you, we are troubled by these uncertain and challenging times, but we are also heartened by the resilience of the American people.
Americans are brave, strong, generous, and kind. We know we will get through this challenge together, just as we have before.
The IWF team is fortunate in that we always operate as a virtual office so—although many of us are juggling a few kids at home—we will be able to continue our work with mild disruption.
And we want to help. Our team is committed to tracking and covering the coronavirus from all angles—especially highlighting the heroes among us who are responding to the present crisis with kindness, generosity, and ingenuity. We welcome your own stories of heroes, and of course your feedback on any of our other work at Independent Women’s Forum.
With friendship and best wishes for your good health,
|
|
"The proper containment response, in order to prevent disease transmission inside the U.S., involves limiting entry from places where the outbreak has been neither contained nor mitigated."
- Dr. Qanta Ahmed, IWF Visiting Fellow
|
|
|
Americans face a time of uncertainty and unprecedented challenges due to COVID-19. There’s a lot of grim news out there, but there are also a lot of positive, uplifting, and inspiring stories that show what America is made of. We want to do our part to spread positivity by highlighting the thoughtfulness, kindness, and ingenuity of heroes across the country during this time. Do you have a story or pictures to share about how people or businesses are stepping up and helping out?
|
|
|
A few stories we've received thus far:
|
|
|
Democrats in Congress are looking to push ill-advised federal policy by proposing a sweeping nationwide federal paid sick leave mandate. Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) and Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) introduced legislation recently that “requires all employers to allow workers to accrue seven days of paid sick leave and to provide an additional 14 days available immediately in the event of any public health emergency, including the current coronavirus crisis.” A more practicable solution would be to provide targeted aid to impact workers without paid sick leave through their employers, such as leveraging unemployment insurance. They can drop waiting periods to apply and suspend requirements to look for work for a limited time, until this virus passes and affected workers are healthy.
|
|
|
The fast and far-reaching spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) has prompted Congress and the White House to push an aid package directed at Americans who face tough economic times from this pandemic. Last week, a large majority of the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, a package of emergency aid, in a 363–40 vote. The bill heads to the Senate for consideration.
|
|
Republican Senator Mitt Romney floated an idea popularized by former Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang—proposing a one-time $1,000 cash payment to every American adult. Targeted aid is the key. Helping those who truly need it is the purpose of our social safety net. $1,000 to every adult is not targeted. The desire of lawmakers to do something doesn’t mean we should just do anything.
|
|
Former Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren is mourning the fact that she won’t be president. But she shouldn’t let her disappointment get in the way of other women’s dreams. Women who blame sexism for their failures may actually be harming the prospects of other women. Women who run for office win at similar (or higher) rates to men, but some women may choose to sit it out if they think they’ll face these roadblocks. Same goes with voters.
|
|
|
|
