Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Thursday, the Federal Election Commission (FEC) voted 4-0 to allow candidates for federal office to use privately-raised campaign funds on campaign-related childcare in Advisory Opinion Request (AOR) 2018-06. The decision follows a letter from more than two-dozen Members of Congress, led by Congresswoman Terri A. Sewell (D-AL), urging the FEC to authorize childcare expenses related to a candidate’s campaign for elected office. During a year in which a record 527 women are running for federal office, the precedent set by the FEC’s decision will have a nationwide impact.

“We need to start giving more women a seat at the table. Today’s decision by the FEC takes a step in the right direction by breaking down barriers to running for office for women and working parents,” said Rep. Terri Sewell. “For so many moms and working parents who are running for office today, affording the childcare they need to get out on the campaign trail can be a major obstacle. By allowing candidates to use their private campaign funds to pay for childcare, the FEC is opening the door for working parents to have a voice in elective politics. This decision brings us closer to creating a representative government that reflects the diversity of the American public.”

On Wednesday, Rep. Sewell led a comment to the FEC, urging the Commission to allow candidates to use campaign funds to pay for campaign-related childcare expenses. Twenty-four Members of Congress co-signed the comment to the FEC, available here. Members of Congress who co-signed Wednesday’s comment to the FEC on AOR 2018-06, include Women’s Issues Caucus Co-Chair Lois Frankel, Women’s Issues Caucus Vice-Chair Brenda Lawrence, and Reps. Jackie Speier, Carolyn Maloney, John Lewis, Barbara Lee, Jan Schakowsky, Bob Brady, Maxine Waters, Judy Chu, Debbie Dingell, Dina Titus, Ruben Gallego, Robin Kelly, Kathleen Rice, Yvette Clarke, Colleen Hanabusa, Sheila Jackson Lee, Don McEachin, Bonnie Watson Coleman, Frederica S. Wilson, Jamie Raskin, Gwen Moore, and Ted Deutch.

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Rep. Terri A. Sewell (D-AL) is serving her fourth term representing Alabama’s 7th Congressional district. She sits on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and was recently appointed to the powerful House Ways and Means Committee. Sewell is a Chief Deputy Whip and serves on the prestigious Steering and Policy Committee of the Democratic Caucus. She is also a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, and serves as Vice Chair of the Congressional Voting Rights Caucus, and Vice Chair of Outreach for the New Democrat Coalition.