McCaul introduces bipartisan Women’s Global Development and Prosperity Act

U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX) on March 5 unveiled bipartisan legislation to promote the empowerment, development and prosperity of women globally.

“From fighting instability and terrorism to promoting economic development abroad, women’s empowerment is critical to our foreign policy objectives and national security,” said Rep. McCaul, ranking member on the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee. “The biggest threat to extremism is an empowered woman.”

Rep. McCaul sponsored the Women’s Global Development and Prosperity (W-GDP) Act, H.R. 6117, with cosponsor U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) to codify the interagency W-GDP initiative by promoting three key pillars of effort: women prospering in the workforce; women succeeding as entrepreneurs; and women enabled in the economy, according to a bill summary provided by the congressman’s office.

“When women are empowered to be active participants in their community, economy and society, countries are more stable and prosperous,” Rep. McCaul said. “Our legislation will build on the tremendous success of the administration’s W-GDP initiative, which reached 12 million women in developing countries in its first year alone and seeks to reach 50 million by 2025.”

If enacted, H.R. 6117 also would authorize two existing senior U.S. government positions; establish an interagency steering group and advisory council to implement the Initiative; and prioritize efforts to leverage private-sector resources, according to the summary.

“This whole-of-government effort will help women support their families, contribute to their local economies, and increase prosperity worldwide,” said Rep. McCaul. “I am proud to lead this effort in the House and will continue working across the aisle to lift up women across the globe.”

Advisor to the President Ivanka Trump thanked Rep. McCaul and his colleagues for introducing H.R. 6117 and applauded their leadership to advance women’s economic empowerment.

“The W-GDP Act builds on the bipartisan, bicameral support for the administration’s trailblazing W-GDP Initiative and I look forward to working with Congress to see this legislation signed into law,” she said.