Tuesday the United States House of Representatives passed the Congressional Accountability Act Reform Measures to help prevent sexual harassment in Washington. Rolled into that legislation was Rep. Mia Love’s STOP Act, which requires lawmakers to reimburse the government for harassment settlements with congressional employees.
Love remarked that she has been in situations where men have come “close to crossing the line.” She’s probably being generous.
The fact that Love pushed hard for this policy improvement says a lot about how important the issue was to her. The rest of Utah’s federal delegation has expressed support for the issue, but Love got something done.
It’s almost too obvious that she succeeded so quickly on this issue because she is a woman. And it’s hard not to take offense at the claim that she was invested in the issue because she’s a woman. Because men care about preventing sexual harassment, too. The sponsors of the House omnibus bill were men, in fact.
But the idea that she’s interested in this issue because she is a woman does not mean that she’s “only” interested in this issue, or that men aren’t also interested in this issue.
Gender in politics is not a zero-sum game.
The fact is, there are issues that are statistically more important to women, and there are issues that are statistically more important to men.
Utah Foundation released a study in 2016 highlighting the top 10 priorities for Utah voters. The section that broke down priorities by gender was especially revealing. The report explained,
“In general, men are more likely to be concerned about property and sovereignty issues – states’ rights, public lands, and energy issues – than women. These topics fall off the top 10 list for women, who are more concerned about social issues – homelessness and poverty, crime, and the environment.”
In response to my tweet that the male-dominant Utah Legislature focuses on public land issues because it is a male priority, the Salt Lake County Republican Party was quick to point out that “[t]here are over 100 pieces of legislation on education. There are 7 on public lands. There is no data to support what you said, other than desperately wanting to say something edgy.”
Touche.
They also said I was on “a crusade against male legislators.” Um, no. I actually love men! Who else is going to change my flat tires? (I’m kidding.)
Just because I am on a crusade for female legislators does not mean I am against male ones.
Is sexual harassment a “woman’s issue?” No. It’s just an issue. But it’s an issue that affects women disproportionately, and it makes sense that they might make it a larger priority.
Last year was one of the deadliest years for victims of domestic violence. In response, Sen. Todd Weiler, R-Woods Cross, and Rep. Angela Romero, D-Salt Lake City, are sponsoring a bill that would expand the definition of domestic violence to include a former boyfriend who the victim never lived with.
(Courtesy of GoFundMe) Memorez Rackley.
Rep. Brian King is also running a bill aimed at preventing domestic violence that makes it a misdemeanor for a witness of “seriously bodily injury” to not call 911.
Another bill is House Bill 283, Workplace Protection Amendments, sponsored by Rep. Rebecca Edwards, R-North Salt Lake, which amends the Utah Antidiscrimination Act to provide protection against sexual harassment and discrimination for employees of small businesses.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Rep. Rebecca Edwards reacts as Rep. Scott Chew recognizes her for winning the national "Make it with Wool" award when she was in high school, during the Friday's legislature session in the House of Representatives, January 26, 2018.
Other bills directly relating to similar social issues include,
a bill by Rep. John Westwood, R-Cedar City, that would institute a state earned income tax credit for low-income worker
a bill by Rep. Elizabeth Weight, D-West Valley City, that would provide state employees with paid parental leave,
a bill sponsored by Rep. Edwards granting a tax credit to companies that provide paid family medical leave,
a bill by Rep. Tim Quinn, R-Heber City, that would eliminate the tax on groceries,
another bill by Edwards that would offer tax incentives for employee savings accounts for child care costs, and
a bill by Rep. Ward to expand Medicaid to cover birth control for low-income women.
It is true that both male and female legislators focus on issues more important to female voters. But women do more so.
It’s not bad that female voters have different priorities than male voters.
It’s just different.
Michelle Quist is an editorial writer for the Salt Lake Tribune who appreciates both male and female legislators and wishes Utah had more than 20 percent female representation in the Legislature.
Follow @MichelleLQuist