PETER KOUTOUJIAN CONVENES FOURTH POLICY ROUND TABLE, OFFERS IDEAS TO TACKLE WOMEN’S ISSUES IN CONGRESS

Plan Highlights Standing Up to Republican Attacks on Women’s Reproductive Rights, Standing Strong Against Workplace Inequality, And Working to Reduce Domestic Violence And Sexual Assault

Peter Koutoujian convened his fourth policy round table in a series of five on saturday, offering his proposals for tackling critical women’s issues in Congress.

“These issues are front and center for women and their families across the country,” said Koutoujian.  “They should be front and center for Congress too.  Today I’m putting forward some of the issues I’ll tackle first: standing up to Republican attacks on women’s reproductive rights, reducing workplace inequality, and helping to reduce domestic violence and sexual assault.

“Washington politicians have no place in a woman making her own reproductive healthcare decisions,” Koutoujian continued.  “That needs to stay between her and her doctor and that’s it.  And in a country where 60% of heads of household are women, there’s no reason mothers should make 77 cents for every dollar a father earns.  That hurts my family and yours, and we need to put an end to it.

“And we need to work harder to reduce domestic violence and sexual assault.  It’s critical that we provide the care and justice victims deserve.  I stood firm in keeping the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners program fully funded in the face of budget cuts from then-Governor Romney.  I was proud to write and help pass legislation requiring hospitals in Massachusetts to provide emergency contraception to those in need.  These aren’t just campaign issues for me: I stood strong on women’s issues for decades in the State Legislature, and I’m going to keep standing up in Congress,” said Koutoujian.

In addition to today’s policy proposal, Koutoujian’s campaign recently announced the formation of “Women for Koutoujian,” an organizing initiative designed to spread his decades-long track record of standing strong on women’s issues throughout the district.  The group is chaired by Betsy Myers, COO for then-Senator Obama’s first presidential campaign and chair of “Women for Obama.”  Myers also launched and directed the White House Office of Women’s Initiatives and Outreach under President Clinton and currently serves as Director at the Center for Women and Business at Bentley University.

“I’ve known Peter for years, and he’s always understood and advocated for important issues,” said Caroline Grossman, who attended Saturday's event in Arlington.  “My congressperson needs to have a track record of getting real things done for real people.  Peter is that person, and I’m proud to be voting for him.”