Hinson & Houchin Champion Women’s Leadership in Congress – The Ripon Society

Report on Legislative Priorities and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

A recent meeting with U.S. Representatives Ashley Hinson and Erin Houchin provided insights into their legislative priorities and committee work, revealing a strong alignment with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The discussion highlighted efforts to advance gender equality, promote community well-being, and strengthen governmental institutions.

Advancing Gender Equality in Public Life (SDG 5)

A primary focus of the discussion was the advancement of women in political leadership, a core target of SDG 5: Gender Equality. Both representatives detailed their commitment to ensuring women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership in public life.

• Representative Hinson cited her desire to effect change for her children as a key motivation, serving as an example of female leadership for future generations.
• Representative Houchin, the House Republican Conference Secretary, emphasized a collaborative approach, stating, “If I get to the table, then I should turn around and try to pull up another chair or two or three for a female to come behind me.”
• Both congresswomen addressed the need to increase female representation on influential bodies, such as the Steering Committee, to ensure women’s voices contribute to key decisions, thereby fostering more inclusive institutions.

Legislative Actions Supporting Community and Economic Health (SDGs 3, 8, 9, 10)

The representatives’ work on the Appropriations and Energy & Commerce committees directly contributes to several interconnected SDGs aimed at building resilient, healthy, and economically stable communities.

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: Representative Hinson highlighted her success in securing appropriations for “a maternal healthcare wing so we can have more babies in rural Iowa.” This action directly supports Target 3.1, which aims to reduce maternal mortality and ensure access to essential healthcare services.
2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: Through her role as an appropriator, Hinson noted the ability to direct funds toward critical infrastructure projects, such as “finishing that road,” which is fundamental to building resilient infrastructure and fostering economic development in local communities.
3. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: The focus on fiscal policy, including tax reform and addressing long-term national debt, aligns with the goal of achieving sustainable economic growth. Representative Houchin’s motivation to address the deficit and ensure the solvency of Social Security reflects a commitment to long-term economic stability for all citizens.
4. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: By championing projects that specifically benefit rural areas, such as the maternal health wing in Iowa, the legislators’ work aims to reduce intra-country inequalities and ensure that development benefits are shared equitably.

Strengthening Institutions for Sustainable Governance (SDG 16)

The core responsibilities and motivations described by both representatives underscore a commitment to SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. Their work focuses on developing effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels.

• Representative Houchin described her approach as being a “problem solver” drawn to fixing “big system gaps,” a methodology that directly contributes to making institutions more effective and responsive.
• Representative Hinson’s work on the House Appropriations Committee is central to overseeing government funding, ensuring taxpayer dollars are used efficiently and in a manner that addresses national priorities and delivers tangible benefits to constituents.
• Their shared emphasis on public service and utilizing their skills “for the betterment of other people” reflects the foundational principle of SDG 16, which is to build a more peaceful, just, and inclusive society through robust governance.

Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

SDG 5: Gender Equality

• The article extensively discusses the importance of increasing female representation in politics. It highlights the challenges women face, such as balancing family and legislative duties, and the need to prove themselves in a male-dominated field. The congresswomen’s primary message is to encourage more women to run for office and support each other, as stated by Rep. Houchin: “If I get to the table, then I should turn around and try to pull up another chair or two or three for a female to come behind me.” This directly connects to achieving gender equality in political leadership.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• The article makes a specific connection to this goal through Rep. Hinson’s work on the House Appropriations Committee. She mentions her ability to direct funds toward critical health infrastructure, citing the example of “getting the dollars for a maternal healthcare wing so we can have more babies in rural Iowa.” This action directly contributes to improving maternal health services, a key component of SDG 3.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

• This goal is relevant through the discussion of creating effective and accountable government institutions. Rep. Houchin states she was motivated to run for office to address the “deficit and the long-term debt problem” and Rep. Hinson works on “government spending and efficiency.” Furthermore, the article mentions The Ripon Society’s goal of a “federal government that is smaller, smarter and more accountable to the people.” The push for more women in leadership is also an effort to make decision-making more inclusive and representative, which is a core aspect of strong institutions.

What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

SDG 5: Gender Equality

1. Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life. The entire article supports this target, with a focus on increasing the number of women in the U.S. Congress and in key leadership roles like committee Chairs and members of the Steering Committee.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

1. Target 3.1: By 2030, reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births. While the article does not mention mortality statistics, Rep. Hinson’s work to fund a “maternal healthcare wing” is a direct action aimed at improving maternal health outcomes and access to care, which is essential for reducing maternal mortality.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

1. Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels. The congresswomen’s focus on solving the “long-term debt problem” and improving “government spending and efficiency” aligns with making governmental institutions more effective and financially accountable.
2. Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels. The call to action for more women to enter politics and the concern over the low number of women on bodies like the Steering Committee directly address the need for more inclusive and representative decision-making. Rep. Houchin notes, “We need to increase our numbers here so that our voices are more solidified within the overall group.”

Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

SDG 5: Gender Equality

• Indicator (related to 5.5.1): The proportion of seats held by women in national parliament and on key decision-making committees. The article provides a specific data point that can be used as an indicator: the number of women on the Steering Committee, which Rep. Houchin states is three. The overall goal to “increase our numbers here” refers to increasing the number of Republican women in the House.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• Implied Indicator: The allocation of government funding towards and the development of maternal health infrastructure. Rep. Hinson’s statement about “getting the dollars for a maternal healthcare wing” implies that the successful funding and construction of such facilities serve as a direct measure of progress in improving healthcare access.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

• Implied Indicator: The implementation of fiscal policies aimed at debt reduction and government efficiency. Progress can be measured by tracking legislative actions and policies related to the national deficit, debt, and government spending, which Rep. Houchin and Rep. Hinson identify as key priorities.
• Indicator (related to 16.7.1): Proportions of positions in public institutions held by women. This is the same indicator as for SDG 5, measured by the number of women in Congress and on influential committees like the Steering Committee, reflecting the inclusivity of the institution.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

Source: riponsociety.org