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Our Impact

If we want an America that is truly family friendly, we need our legislatures to reflect the people they’re supposed to represent. Vote Mama Lobby advocates for barrier-breaking policies that empower everyday Americans, especially moms, to go toe-to-toe with out-of-touch politicians.

What we do

What we do

“If we want to change our policies, we need to change our policy makers. The only way to do that is change our political system.”

Liuba Grechen Shirley, Founder & CEO, Vote Mama

Campaign Funds for Childcare

Vote Mama Lobby is building a future where childcare costs are no longer an obstacle for parents and caregivers pursuing public office. As the only organization working to authorize Campaign Funds for Childcare (CFCC) in all 50 states, Vote Mama Lobby is ensuring that state-level candidates have access to this critical resource already available to federal candidates.

To date, 40 states (plus DC) have already enacted rulings allowing state and local candidates to use campaign funds on childcare expenses. Removing this financial barrier is critical to making public office accessible to young families and ensuring their voices are represented at the decision-making table.

Learn more about CFCC

Campaign Funds for Security

No one should have to choose between their safety and running for office, but that’s the reality for many candidates today—especially women, moms, and candidates of color. Political violence, doxxing, and death threats have become far too commonplace in America, which is why Campaign Funds for Security (CFS) is such a critical resource.

CFS is already permissible at the federal level, and Vote Mama Lobby is the only organization working to authorize CFS in all 50 states, ensuring that state-level candidates have the same protections when running for and serving in office. So far, it’s been authorized in 29 states—and counting.

Learn more about CFS

Family Friendly Legislatures

Our government was designed for wealthy, white, land-owning men in the 18th century. It’s no wonder that our structures don’t support women (especially moms) serving in office. If we don’t address the structural barriers within our own legislatures, moms will always be an afterthought in political representation. Vote Mama Lobby advocates for the commonsense changes necessary to bring our government into the 21st century.

Pay legislators a livable wage and make state legislatures full-time

If legislators are not paid a livable wage, only independently wealthy Americans will be able to serve. Congressional pay has not been adjusted for inflation since 2009, and only four states pay legislators a livable wage that they can survive on without additional income (California, Michigan, New York, and Pennsylvania). Many of the remaining states have “part-time” legislatures, sometimes paying as little as $0, even though representing their districts is a year-round commitment. As a result, millionaires are overrepresented in government, simply because they are the only ones who can afford to work without pay.

Normalize federal candidates taking a salary while they campaign

Running for office is the longest job interview you will ever have. Candidates are campaigning for up to two years, often as much as 18 hours a day, just for the chance to serve their communities, and they can’t sustain a full-time job on top of running a competitive race. Many have to max out credit cards, take out second mortgages, or draw down their retirement accounts to pay their bills while they run. Federal candidates can legally take salaries from their campaigns, but they are frequently attacked politically for doing what they need to do to make ends meet.

Bring legislator benefits in line with other jobs

If we want everyday Americans to be able to represent us in office, legislative service needs to be treated as a job, not a volunteer opportunity. State legislators are not guaranteed health insurance or retirement benefits, which can be an insurmountable barrier unless officeholders are independently wealthy or have a spouse through whom they can get coverage. At both the federal and state levels (with the exception of Colorado), there is no paid family and medical leave, forcing legislators to make the impossible choice between caring for their family or serving their community.

Make government infrastructure family friendly

Legislative buildings are not fully accessible for parents with young children. In Congress, the on-site childcare program has limited slots and a years-long waitlist, and the first-ever changing tables were installed in 2011 (and they are still not fully sufficient). At the state level, there has been no consistent movement to address the need for childcare, changing tables, or pumping rooms in legislative buildings. Only Alaska has a formal on-site childcare program for all legislators to use during legislative sessions, while states like Florida, New York, and West Virginia have only informal childcare programs. Virginia stands out for giving its lawmakers a weekly stipend for help with childcare during legislative session.

Provide remote or proxy voting options for legislators

The combination of unpredictable voting schedules and in-person voting requirements restricts legislators’ ability to balance caregiving needs and legislative duties, a constraint felt disproportionately by parents with school-age children. At the federal level, there is no remote or proxy voting for members of Congress, and the rules at the state level vary from state to state and can even change from year to year, leaving parents with little guidance on what options they have when there is a family emergency. Employers across America have embraced flexible and hybrid work models; our legislatures should be the same.

Change the narrative around legislators’ families living wherever makes the most sense for them

Up until the mid 1990s, it was the norm for members of Congress to move their families to Washington, DC. But because it is now a political liability for parents to do this, members are faced with this decision: keep their families in their districts and say goodnight to their kids on FaceTime, or weather the political attacks for moving their family to the capital. This struggle also exists for state legislators, who often have to travel long distances to their respective capitals. Parents should not be penalized for wanting to see their children and should be encouraged to do what makes the most sense for their family.

Expand Campaign Funds for Childcare (CFCC) to cover official duties and all dependents

At the federal level, legislators can use their campaign funds to pay for dependent care expenses arising from their role as public officials. This helps legislators with young children or aging parents, for example, when they have to stay late at the Capitol for a critical vote or committee hearing. However, only 18 states allow legislators to use campaign funds on broader dependent care expenses related to carrying out official duties. By reforming campaign finance rules to allow officeholders to cover dependent care expenses, we can help caregivers sustainably stay in office and serve their communities without worrying about the care of a loved one.

Allow more candidates and officeholders to use Campaign Funds for Security (CFS)

At the federal level, legislators can use their campaign funds to pay for legitimate security expenses incurred directly from holding public office. This helps protect not only legislators but their families as well. However, fewer than 60% of states allow state legislators to use campaign funds on security expenses when related to carrying out official duties. By reforming campaign finance rules to allow security expenses, we can provide caregivers the tools and protection they need to run and serve safely. No parent should worry about their family’s safety because they serve in office.

Prohibit the sharing of legislators’ home addresses to the general public

At both the federal and state levels, candidates must list their home address when they file to run. These home addresses then appear in public disclosure reports, which are easily accessible to the general public. In recent years, multiple legislators have been targets of political violence in their homes, including the tragic assassination of Minnesota Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman. Some states have implemented policies to prevent candidates’ personal information from being made public, or redacting home addresses on public-facing materials. This should be standard nationwide.

Family-Friendly Policies

When we clear the roadblocks moms face when trying to represent our communities, we accelerate progress on the kinds of policies we need for American women and children to thrive.

Reproductive Rights

We stand for freedom—to make personal healthcare decisions without government interference. This includes access to abortion, birth control, maternal healthcare, and reproductive care.

Caregiving Equality

We believe in strong families by passing policies that include paid family leave, universal childcare, and pay equality, because caregiving is essential and every family deserves economic security.

Affordable Healthcare

We believe healthcare is a human right. We support policies that expand affordable, high-quality healthcare for all families, with a focus on protecting and expanding Medicaid, lowering prescription drug costs, and strengthening maternal and mental healthcare. We believe that every American should have access to healthcare coverage without the stress of affordability or medical debt.

Investing in Public Education

We know that quality education is a right, beginning in early childhood. We are committed to fully funding public education, standing against censorship, and supporting inclusive practices that address disparities in our schools and communities.

Gun Violence Prevention

We value safety—in our homes, schools, and neighborhoods. That’s why we support common-sense gun reforms, including universal background checks and banning assault weapons.

Equality for All

We stand firmly in the belief of equality for all people, including support for the LGBTQ+ community and the protection of gender-affirming care.

Dismantling Systemic Racism

We lead with a commitment to anti-racism and advocate for policies that actively confront and dismantle systemic inequities.

Immigration Reform

We support immigration policies that keep families together and promote dignity, safety, and opportunity for all.

Protecting the Environment

We believe in climate justice and the fundamental right to clean air and water, and we support strong environmental protections to safeguard our planet for future generations.

Defending Democracy

We defend democracy by protecting the right to vote and making the electoral process fair, secure, and accessible—because a healthy democracy ensures that everyone has a voice and a vote.​

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Vote Mama Lobby is breaking the structural barriers that moms face when running for and serving in elected office. Your gift today will help us build a better political system–one that prioritizes American families.

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