Hillary Clinton Will Make Our Families Strong

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand’s Speech at the 2016 Democratic National Convention

Remarks as prepared for delivery

Some people know me as a United States Senator from New York, but during school drop-off and pick-up, I’m better known as Theo and Henry’s mom. Like most working parents, my husband and I juggle a lot. We’re fortunate to have flexibility, but some days, we still barely keep it together.

The vast majority of working parents have it much tougher. They’re struggling with too little time, too little money, and too little support. And Washington hasn’t caught up to their reality. Families today look almost nothing like they did a generation ago. Eight in 10 moms work outside of the home. Four in 10 moms are the primary or sole breadwinners, and many are single. Thanks to marriage equality, more children grow up with two moms or two dads. And yet, today, our policies are stuck in the “Mad Men” era.

We’re the only industrialized nation that doesn’t guarantee workers paid family leave. Many women can’t even get a paid day off to give birth. Most parents work outside the home, yet child care can cost as much as college tuition. Families rely on women’s income, but we still don’t have equal pay for equal work. This makes no sense, because we know that when families are strong, America is strong.

Hillary Clinton gets it — not just because she’s a working mother, and Charlotte and Aidan’s grandmother, but because for her, it’s about her core values, the idea that we have a responsibility to one another. It’s about who we are as a nation.

It’s why after law school, she could have gone to a fancy law firm — but she chose to work at the Children’s Defense Fund, where she advocated for children with disabilities.

It’s why as America’s First Lady she helped create a health insurance program for children so that 8 million kids could get the care they need.

It’s why as Secretary of State, she helped women and children to escape violence and poverty — to attend schools, support their families, and reinvest in their communities.

And it’s why as President of the United States, she will bring our workplace policies out of the Dark Ages, and always, always, put families first.

You see, Hillary Clinton’s life’s work has been defined by one question: “How can we help those who need it most?” Donald Trump’s has been defined by a very different question: “How can I help myself the most?”

Donald Trump actually stood on a debate stage and said that wages are “too high.” Hillary knows that in the richest country in the world, it’s unacceptable that a mom with two kids working full time still lives in poverty.

Donald Trump says that when it comes to paid family leave, “you have to be careful of it.” Hillary knows that it’s long past time for guaranteed paid family leave.

Donald Trump thinks that women should just work harder because — and I’m quoting — “You’re gonna make the same if you do as good a job.” Every woman in America knows — that’s not true! Hillary believes that women deserve equal pay for equal work.

The choice in this election couldn’t be clearer! If you believe in the values that have always made us great — if you believe in keeping America great — then support Hillary Clinton.

Thank you and God bless our great nation.