Seven Real Housewives from across the country came together to support the proposal to expand funds for HIV research and treatment on Capitol Hill.
Candiace Dillard Bassett (Potomac), Erika Jayne (Beverly Hills), Luann de Lesseps (New York), Melissa Gorga (New Jersey), Nene Leakes and Phaedra Parks (Atlanta), and Marysol Patton (Miami) were in DC to make their voices heard.
The self-titled ‘Housewives on The Hill’ spoke at a panel discussion and met with both Republican and Democratic lawmakers before speaking to the media.
The cause:
The final federal budget for the Department of Health and Human Services maintains federal funding for HIV prevention, care, and research at 2025 levels, rejecting nearly $2 billion in proposed cuts from the House of Representatives.
But several states have rolled back their HIV and AIDS services due to budget constraints.
Still, the housewives preserved.
The Sisterhood of the Real Housewives:
Nene told the New York Post, “Everybody’s been very kind. Honestly, we’ve had a great experience, because that was a big worry coming.”
“We feel like very important people today,” said Melissa. “This is definitely not a typical day. So thank you for letting our voices be heard on such an important subject.”
Luann declared that “Housewives and politics don’t go hand in hand, and that’s what I love about it. However, the power that comes with seven ladies from different franchises coming together to raise awareness of HIV issues. It’s all about working together to save people’s lives. So that’s where we have to come together, no matter what your political orientation may be.”
Phaedra said that despite their reputation for fights and drama, the Housewives can be a force to reckon with.
“While we might fight on television, outside of the cameras, we are moms. Some of us are crazy. But at the end of the day, when we are passionate about anything, we go full force,” she said.
Reactions from The Hill:
The Post described the Housewives as getting “Swarmed by Hill aides for selfies — and it was equally male and female staffers — Housewives posed gamely and accepted accolades for being a fan favorite. A few husbands joined them. And many a male staffer told Joe Gorga that he was their favorite husband.”
“Everybody was demanding selfies,” a husband boasted of the reaction. He noted the housewives “added their own spice” to their mission.
Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) entered the chat:
The popular politician praised The Housewives for shining a light on the health care issue.
“We are in a very dark time. And here we have people standing up and saying, in a dark time, I’m going to shine my light brighter.”
Senator Booker joked, “I wish there was a table here I could turn over,” teasing the franchise’s over the top drama.
