On Thursday, a record number of women were sworn in as members of the 116th Congress. There is no reason to diminish the historic nature a more diverse legislative body brings as it represents a vast and varied nation. Despite policy differences, it is something that can be praised on mere face value alone.
In all, 127 women will serve in the new Congress. Of the female politicians, 106 are Democrats and 21 are Republicans. This breakdown gives the Left side of the aisle a hefty amount of gender-based ammunition as the country looks ahead to two years of increased division.
Since President Trump’s language toward women in the past (and in some cases, the present) has been downright insulting and sexist, the Left reacts as if the entirety of the Republican Party feels the same. Because of this assumption, they look at the makeup of the 116th Congress as an overall strike against the GOP and further proof that a misogynistic stranglehold exists.
Much like the discussions surrounding pay disparity, there is a tendency to believe that equality of opportunity must always bring forth equality of outcome. If women are allowed to run for elected office just as men are, then surely they will be successful. If they are not victorious in the end, the reason for defeat must be nefarious in nature. This completely disregards that politically speaking, ideology is more influential than biology. The average voter wants someone who represents how they feel about and perceive the world. Appearance is, or should be, of little importance. This mindset also disregards that American women have a multitude of choices available to them and elected office is enticing to so few. Nonpolitical career and family aspirations far outweigh any desire to head to Washington. Exercising these freedoms should be just as celebrated.
Unfortunately, the Left side of the aisle is more concerned with identity politics. Instead of weighing the merit of a politician on their policy leanings alone, too many conclude that inherent physical characteristics should be praised first and foremost. When that occurs, females are reduced to nothing more than a numbers game and placed against one another as political pawns. Our country is more divided than ever. Why should it be fractured even more?
Total women in the U.S. House:
1989:
16 Democrats
13 Republicans2019:
89 Democrats
13 Republicans— Ryan Struyk (@ryanstruyk) January 3, 2019
There is nothing wrong with noticing an increasing number of female politicians at the national level. However, doing so in an effort to somehow prove that one side has defeated sexism for good is perilous at best.
Upon closer examination, both Democrats and Republicans have within their ranks some problems with treating women as mere sexual objects. Elected officials and other prominent men of either persuasion have used and abused women for their own pleasure and gain. Any attempt to claim otherwise is a lie. Furthermore, the Democratic Party at large clings to the act of abortion as a kind of sacrament. Women and the babies within their wombs are too often regarded as tools for political gain rather than priceless individuals worthy of full consideration.
As a female member of the voting public, I don’t look to any politician as more or less worthy because of their sex. Because of that, Hillary Clinton did not receive my support on Election Day. If Nikki Haley were to run for president someday, our shared ideology, not biology, would prompt me to vote for her.
I’m more than willing to recognize the achievements of women who have made it to Congress. However, I find that there is no need to fawn over them. Like their male counterparts, they must work hard and represent their constituents. They also must earn my vote.
Much like placing principle over party, supporting political candidates should never be about something as superficial as gender.
Kimberly Ross (@SouthernKeeks) is a contributor to the Washington Examiner’s Beltway Confidential blog and a senior contributor at RedState.com.
