Statement of Jocelyn Frye, President of the National Partnership for Women & Families
WASHINGTON, D.C. – November 4, 2026 – “The 2026 midterm elections should be a wakeup call for every policymaker – and especially this administration – that voters, particularly women, who make up the majority of the electorate, expect better.
“For women from all walks of life, their frustration with the economy is not only about the rising cost of groceries or housing. It’s also about the ongoing, overarching challenge of trying to make ends meet while balancing work and caregiving responsibilities, often without the support or resources they need to make it work. It’s about the lack of access to paid leave and paid sick days, rising health care costs, stagnant wages and workplaces that too often fail to provide the support and protections workers need. And while working families are told that addressing these challenges costs too much and must wait, they see this administration finding trillions of dollars for other priorities and pet projects with little popular support – from war spending to a White House ballroom, an arch and a golf course. Meanwhile investments in child care and paid family leave, home care and Medicaid are cast as too expensive and beyond our reach.
Women and families are telling us that the economy isn’t working for them and they want leaders who can deliver on real solutions. The results of this election are a clear clarion call for action. People want an economy where they can earn a living, care for people they love and have a real opportunity to build economic security. They want health care that is affordable and responsive to their needs. Those who were elected this week have an opportunity – and a responsibility – to turn that demand into meaningful progress.”
On November 10th, the National Partnership will host a post election debrief on “What Working Women Tell Us They Need.” To join, RSVP to Emily Riley at eriley@nationalpartnership.org.
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