Democratic Women’s Caucus Advocates for Fiscal 2027 Budget Priorities

Leaders of the Democratic Women’s Caucus (DWC) have outlined their appropriations priorities for fiscal 2027 in a letter addressed to House Appropriations Committee Chair Tom Cole (R-Okla.) and ranking member Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.). The letter emphasizes the need for investments that “meaningfully support women and families across every stage of life.” The DWC, led by Chair Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) and supported by vice chairs Reps. Hillary Scholten (D-Mich.) and Emilia Sykes (D-Ohio), along with co-chairs Reps. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Calif.) and Deborah Ross (D-N.C.), categorizes these investments into nine key issues.

The Hill

The DWC's letter calls for full funding of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, which had a federal expenditure of $7.2 billion in fiscal 2024. Additionally, the caucus advocates for robust funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which is facing reduced participation due to expanded work requirements enacted by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that these changes will decrease SNAP participation by approximately 2.4 million individuals monthly from 2025 to 2034.

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The lawmakers also requested significant funding for programs aimed at combating violence against women and children, including $1.15 billion for initiatives under the Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women, as reauthorized by Congress in 2022. Furthermore, they sought $160 million for Missing and Exploited Children programs, responding to the 349,557 missing person reports involving youth submitted to the FBI in 2024.

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In the realm of defense, the DWC urged for the highest possible funding to support military justice reforms designed to prevent sexual harassment and assault across all branches of the armed forces and the U.S. Coast Guard. The Defense Department reported 8,195 sexual assault cases in fiscal 2024, a decrease of 320 from the previous year. The caucus called for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to coordinate with Service Secretaries to standardize data collection and reporting related to harmful behaviors, including sexual assault and domestic abuse.

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The DWC's letter articulates a vision for an economy that works for women, emphasizing the need for affordable healthcare and safe communities. The lawmakers stated, “We urge our Republican colleagues to join us in advancing meaningful results for women and families,” highlighting the bipartisan nature of their appeal.

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While the DWC's proposals aim to address critical issues, there may be opposition from Republican members of the Appropriations Committee regarding the funding levels and the specific programs prioritized. The response from Cole and DeLauro's offices is pending, which may provide further insight into the committee's stance on these requests.

The Hill

As the House Appropriations Committee reviews the budget requests, the DWC's proposals will be a focal point in discussions about fiscal priorities for 2027, particularly in relation to women's issues and family support programs.

The Hill