NOW Urges Democratic Leadership to Name Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney Ranking Member of Oversight Committee

WASHINGTON, Dec. 15, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The battle to lead the Oversight Committee has begun, and the National Organization for Women and other leading women's groups are supporting Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) to be the next Ranking Member of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee (OGR).  She is the second-ranking Democrat on the committee after Committee Chairman Rep. Ed Towns (D-N.Y.), who is giving up his post, and he has given his support to Maloney.  

Rep. Maloney has an extraordinary record of legislative accomplishments and effective oversight, and when appointed, Maloney would be the second Democratic woman ever to serve as ranking member of the Oversight committee.  Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) has announced that he will be running against Maloney.

"With all due respect to Rep. Cummings, Congresswoman Maloney is next in seniority, a champion of women's rights, and has a strong track record of accomplishments," said NOW President Terry O'Neill.  "We believe Rep. Maloney will be a strong and effective leader of this important committee."

Rep. Maloney has proven to be a prolific and effective legislator in a wide range of areas, often taking on powerful interests such as Big Oil and Wall Street.  She authored and passed more than 50 bills, including landmark legislation such as HR 627, the Credit CARD Act.  Her bill prevents credit card companies from using many of the most egregious tricks and traps that entangled consumers in an unending cycle of debt.  

Congresswoman Maloney has been one of the strongest and most effective advocates for women's rights in Congress, with a significant record of passing measures that make a difference in women's lives.  These include her Breast Cancer Early Detection Act of 1997, which provides annual mammograms for women on Medicare; and the Debbie Smith Act, which provides funding to increase the number of rape kits processed so prosecutors have access to DNA evidence – the best evidence to convict or acquit a rapist; and the Hate Crime Statistics Improvement Act, which added gender-based hate crimes to the list of hate crimes that the FBI is required to track; and the End Demand for Sex Trafficking Act.  

NOW and a coalition of women's groups including Feminist Majority, National Council of Women's Organizations, Women's Campaign Fund and National Women's Political Caucus, has signed on to a letter of support for Congresswoman Maloney, strongly urging the Democratic leadership to honor seniority and appoint Maloney as the next Ranking Member of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee.  

SOURCE National Organization for Women