Rep. Emerson says female politicians work harder than male counterparts

Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (R-Mo.) has a message for some of her male colleagues in Congress: Do your homework.

During a breakfast discussion last week hosted by the Ripon Society, Emerson said. “I think [female politicians] probably work a lot harder than the men. And I hate to say that.”

Emerson added that at press conferences, lawmakers with Y chromosomes can dish rhetoric, but not details.

“When you get asked the tough question, who comes up?” Emerson said, “Us, to describe the bill.”

Rep. Kay Granger (R-Texas), who was an entrepreneur before she came to Congress, noted how difficult it was to secure a loan in a man’s world.

“I started my business in my living room with $2,500 because no one would lend me any money. In fact, one banker I went to said, ‘Honey, you just need to get married.’ ”

Ouch.

Granger said she has since sent notes to that banker, pointing out her career successes.