Jeb Bush Policies a Disaster for Working Women, Raja Charges

As presidential candidate Jeb Bush arrives in the Chicago area today to fill his campaign wallet, a local candidate for Congress charged that Bush’s policies toward working women would empty theirs.

“Jeb Bush as President would be a disaster for women and the families that rely on their wages,” said Raja Krishnamoorthi, a Democratic candidate for Illinois’ 8th Congressional District.

“Jeb’s opposition to paid sick leave, paid maternity leave and equal pay for equal work signals three strikes against women’s full participation in the workforce,” Raja said. “His suggestion that ‘people need to work longer hours’ to achieve economic security is an insult to millions of hardworking Americans, and his assertion that existing laws ensure equal pay is not supported by facts.”

Raja also challenged Bush’s hostility toward Planned Parenthood and his recent statement that ‘we don’t need half a billion dollars for women’s health issues.’

“Jeb’s remarks demonstrate his complete ignorance of the leading role played by Planned Parenthood in preventive healthcare for women, and his dismissal of the need to fund health programs for women shows a shocking insensitivity,” Raja said.

“While he’s in Chicago to raise money, I hope Governor Bush will take the time to talk to some working women who can educate him on what life is like in the real world,” Raja said. “We need policies that will close the gap facing working women and their families instead of ignoring their challenges and undermining their health care.”

As a candidate to succeed Rep. Tammy Duckworth, who is running for the U.S. Senate, Raja has developed a ‘Working Families Agenda’ that includes: raising the minimum wage to $10.10 per hour, mandating paid sick leave and maternity leave, and guaranteeing overtime pay for workers earning less than $50,000 per year.

Raja Krishnamoorthi currently serves as President of Sivananthan Labs and Episolar, Inc., small businesses that sell products in the national security and renewable energy industries. He formerly served as Deputy Treasurer of Illinois.

Raja resides in Schaumburg with his wife Priya, who is a doctor, and their two young sons.