* * UPDATED * * A Narrowly Divided Congress Must Still Protect Women 

Statement by National NOW President Christian F. Nunes 

WASHINGTON, D.C. The narrow majority won by House Republicans was a historic rejection of a party that predicted a “Red Wave.”  Instead, Democrats made gains in the Senate, in state legislatures, and in statewide offices from governor to attorney general to secretary of state. 

Americans sent a clear message in this year’s midterm elections – women’s lives matter.  Millions of voters share the equality agenda NOW members work to achieve—Democrats, Republicans, and Independents alike.   

Voters rejected politicians who wanted to take away a woman’s right to choose what’s best for them. Instead, they elected candidates with a progressive vision for the country, who vow to support essential rights like health care, child care, reproductive care, and racial justice.  

We can expect two years of partisan attacks, investigations, and extremist legislation from House Republicans, but because of the hard work NOW members and activists did in this election, we can continue to fight for policies that advance equality and combat injustice in all aspects of social, political and economic life. 

That’s always been NOW’s mission. In today’s Washington, it’s more important than ever. 

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The National Organization for Women (NOW) is the nation’s leading membership-based advocacy group dedicated to defending women’s rights, advancing equality and combating injustice in all aspects of social, political and economic life. Through educating, mobilizing, and convening a vast network of grassroots activists across the country, NOW advocates for national, state and local policies that promote an anti-racist and intersectional feminist agenda. Since its founding in 1966, NOW has been on the frontlines of nearly every major advancement for women’s rights and continues to champion progressive values today. More about NOW’s efforts and resources is available at NOW.org. 

Contact: Press Team, press@now.org,