Congress is living in an "evidence-free zone" as it debates issues of equal pay and family-friendly work policies, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Thursday.
"Unfortunately, reality is not always the context in which these decisions are made. The Congress increasingly -- despite the best efforts of my friends and others -- is living in an evidence-free zone," she said during a roundtable discussion at the Center for American Progress focused on women's issues. "What the reality is, in the lives of Americans is so far from the minds of too many who don't place the highest priority" on those issues.
Women are a critical demographic in this year's midterm elections, with Democrats focused on stoking the gender gap particularly in key states like North Carolina and Colorado. Clinton has focused much of her career as first lady, senator and then Secretary of State on issues affecting women and girls.
Clinton made the remarks during a roundtable that also featured Democratic Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand and Patty Murray, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, and Rep. Rosa DeLauro. The potential 2016 presidential candidate said that the glass ceiling isn't the problem for most American women.
"The floor is collapsing--we talk about a glass ceiling? These women don't even have a secure floor under them," Clinton said.
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-- Kasie Hunt
