Democratic Women's Caucus to Wear White at State of the Union to Highlight Voting Rights

Democratic Women's Caucus to Wear White at State of the Union

More than a dozen Democratic congresswomen plan to wear white during President Trump's upcoming State of the Union address. This action, organized by the Democratic Women's Caucus, is intended as a political statement.

Democratic congresswomen have a precedent for using their attire to convey political messages at State of the Union addresses, dating back to 2017. They have previously worn white to support women's rights, referencing suffragist traditions. Exceptions include wearing black in 2018 in solidarity with the #MeToo movement and pink last year to signify opposition to certain policies.

According to Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández of New Mexico, who leads the Democratic Women's Caucus, the choice of white this year aims to honor the historical struggle for women's voting rights and signal ongoing engagement in the fight.

"There are specific attacks on women's ability to vote."

Leger Fernández specifically mentioned the SAVE America Act, a strict voter identification bill that has raised significant concerns among Democrats. They argue this legislation could disenfranchise millions of eligible voters, including women who have changed their last names after marriage.

The Republican-led House passed this bill earlier this month. It requires voters to show proof of U.S. citizenship (e.g., a passport or birth certificate) to register and a photo ID with proof of citizenship to cast a ballot. While the measure faces opposition in the Senate, Mr. Trump has indicated an intent to act on the issue unilaterally.

The decision to wear white also seeks to honor suffragists who bravely fought for the right to vote. Data from the Census Bureau indicates that women have had higher voter turnout than men in every presidential election since 1984. In the 2024 election, approximately 67% of women voted compared to 64% of men.

While Rep. Leger Fernández will not attend the State of the Union address, other caucus members are expected to be present and wear white. Additionally, some Democrats in Congress plan to attend a rally called the "People's State of the Union," organized by MoveOn, on the National Mall during the speech.