Jim Himes represents Connecticut’s 4th District in the United States House of Representatives where he is serving his seventh term. He serves as the Chair of the Select Committee on Economic Disparity and Fairness in Growth and the National Security, International Development and Monetary Policy Subcommittee of the House Financial Services Committee.
Jim grew up as the child of a single working mom in a small town. As a member of Congress, Jim works hard to provide all American children the same opportunities he had to succeed: access to a first-rate public school, affordable and effective health care, a decent and safe home, and a supportive community.
Reproductive Health
I strongly support reproductive freedom and have stood against efforts to roll back that freedom. That freedom is, regretfully, in peril.
The Women’s Health Protection Act would prohibit medically unnecessary requirements or restrictions on abortion services. I have co-sponsored and voted for this bill during my time in Congress. At heart, I believe that every woman must be empowered to make her own decisions regarding her reproductive health without government intrusion and deserves access to the best medical care available.
More broadly, we can do more to achieve the goals shared on both sides of this issue. I have and will continue to support efforts to reduce unplanned pregnancies by expanding access to family planning services and comprehensive sex education.
Fair Pay
I was proud to cast one of my first votes in Congress for the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act to restore a woman’s right to challenge unfair pay. Unfortunately, pay disparity remains an issue. I’ve co-sponsored and voted for the Paycheck Fairness Act, which would help address the problem. The bill would amend the Equal Pay Act and Fair Labor Standards Act to implement stronger protections against gender-based pay discrimination.