By Paul Bedard
Not every women's group in Washington thinks more women in Congress would end the harsh partisanship of the last several years.
In fact, the conservative Independent Women's Forum said today as the 113th Congress was sworn in, that the country should be scared of more female lawmakers. The reason: the majority are Democrats favoring higher taxes on families.
"While a lot is being made about the record number of women joining the Senate, the reality is the majority of these women are Democrats – 16 of the 20 – and as a result we are likely to see higher taxes, bigger government, and less freedom," said Sabrina Schaeffer, executive director of the Forum and co-author of "Liberty is No War on Women."
She said that policy trumps sex. "Women and men are different, approach problems differently, and bring different talents to the table," she said. "Still, I'm far less concerned with increasing the number of women in power than in increasing the number of lawmakers – men and women – who believe in economic liberty and understand how progressive policies fail women and their families."
She added, "In the end one's political values are far more important than one's gender."