Kilili scores 100 pct. with AAUW Action Fund

The American Association of University Women Action Fund has given Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (Ind-MP) a score of 100 percent for his work in the 115th Congress.

The AAUW’s Congressional Voting Record reflects votes and cosponsorships from January 2017 through Sept. 14, 2018, on the issues that are a priority for women and families. These priorities include equal pay, education, campus sexual assault, campaign finance, human trafficking, and reproductive rights.

Among the insular area representatives in Congress, only Sablan and the other Democratic members scored 100 percent.

“We congratulate Delegate Sablan for standing with women and families in the Northern Mariana Islands and across America,” said Deborah J. Vagins, senior vice president for public policy and research at AAUW. “We look forward to continue working together with him to achieve equity.”

Sablan thanked the organization for its recognition. “Given the importance of family in Marianas culture,” he said, “my work on the issues that AAUW identifies as important simply reflects the people I represent.

“It is really the values of the Marianas that are being recognized by the American Association of University Women.”

AAUW is particularly focused on legislation that protects women’s economic security and equal access to education. Among the legislation in this Congress that AAUW scored was the Paycheck Fairness Act, H.R. 1869, which strengthens penalties for equal pay violations and creates an award for employers who eliminate pay discrepancies between men and women. The bill also sets up a grant program to train women in the negotiation skills needed to get pay equity. Women in the United States are typically paid 80 cents for every dollar paid to men.

“The Paycheck Fairness Act was referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce,” Sablan said. “But the Republican leadership has chosen not to act to help women get pay equity. It is my hope that this will change in the next Congress with Democratic leadership of the Committee.”

Sablan is a senior member of the Democratic leadership on the Committee and ranking member of the Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, Pensions.

The American Association of University Women is the nation’s leading voice promoting equity and education for women and girls. Founded in 1881, AAUW’s members have taken positions on the fundamental issues of their day—educational, social, economic, and political. AAUW has a nationwide network of over 170,000 members and supporters, 1000 local branches, and 800 college and university partners. (PR)