Week of October 20, 2003
Boxer, Feinstein Lead the Charge Against Anti-Choice Bill
This week the Senate voted 64-34 to ban late-term abortions after the House passed the bill by 281-142 three weeks ago. President Bush has said he will sign the bill into law. EMILY's List Senators stood firmly against this latest and most far-reaching attempt to eliminate reproductive freedom in this country. Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) led the opposition on the bill and directly confronted the bill's sponsor, GOP Sen. Rick Santorum, in a tense exchange. "I see what this is about...this is about politics," said Boxer, an opponent of the legislation. "I never dreamed I'd be down here with senators who think they know more than doctors." Sen. Dianne Feinstein also spoke eloquently against this bill, suggesting the bill should be "more accurately called the unconstitutional anti-choice bill, given the fact that it is flagrantly unconstitutional... [it] is a major step forward in the march to obliterate a woman's right to control her own reproductive system and to eviscerate the entire choice movement in this country." All EMILY's List senators voted against the bill.
Contact Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein to tell them how proud you are that they led this fight. Please note that while both Senators will accept emails from anyone, they can only respond to California residents.
CA-Sen: The Party of Hollywood?
Emboldened by Arnold Schwarzenegger's recent win in the California recall election, California Republicans are considering backing another Hollywood challenger to take on Sen. Barbara Boxer: comedian Dennis Miller. GOP strategists are hoping that Schwarzenegger's win could pave the way for another celebrity victory in California. Rumors swirled that Miller had supposedly been talking to GOP consultants, although his spokesman denied this.
PA-13: One of the Top Races to Watch
The Associated Press predicts that the race for Pennsylvania's 13th Congressional District will be one of the most competitive open seat races of the election cycle. Collectively, the candidates have already raised nearly $1.5 million. EMILY's List endorsed candidate Allyson Schwartz leads the Democratic pack with more than $600,000 raised. Three Republicans are currently running, including the 2002 nominee. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and the National Republican Congressional Committee expect to focus intensely on this seat in the general election.
SC-Sen: Columbia Mayor Drops Out of Race and Enthusiastically Endorses Tenenbaum
With the news that Columbia Mayor Bob Coble (D) is dropping out of the South Carolina Senate race, state Superintendent of Education Inez Tenenbaum will likely have a clear path to victory in next June's Democratic Senate primary. Coble, citing fundraising problems and low polling numbers, threw his full support behind Tenenbaum. Tenenbaum was the top vote getter on the statewide ballot in both 1998 and 2002. Polling done for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee in August showed Tenenbaum leading the three top Republicans by double digits. Sen. Fritz Hollings (D) currently holds this seat and has announced that he will not run for reelection.
MI-Gov: Granholm Vetoes Controversial Anti-Choice Legislation
Gov. Jennifer Granholm blocked the anti-choice movement's latest attempt to limit reproductive freedom when she vetoed the Legal Birth Definition Act. The Act is another attempt to change the definition of when life begins. This would render late-term abortions illegal, unless a woman's life was at risk, not allowing for the consideration of a woman's health. The GOP-controlled state legislature is discussing how to override Granholm's veto.
DE-Gov: Minner Teaches Congress a Thing or Two
Governor Ruth Ann Minner has been hailed for keeping Delware's budget in check during tough economic times. Last week, Minner spoke before members of the U.S. House Budget Committee, outlining the quick action Delaware took to eliminate a $300 million budget gap without laying off state workers or sacrificing vital social services.
IN-Gov: Simpson Racks Up Another Endorsement; Lt. Governor Candidate Drops Out
State Senator Vi Simpson's bid for governor has been endorsed by the 9th Congressional District Democrats. "Indiana needs her leadership, experience and energy... we are going to do everything we can to make Senator Simpson Indiana's next governor," said Mike Jones, 9th District chairman. Simpson's primary opponent, Joe Andrew, got quite a surprise last week when his running mate, Bren Simon, decided to drop out of the race. Simon broke the news to the Indianapolis Star before telling Andrew, whose campaign found out through the Star's website.
Stabenow Advocates for Taking Care of Domestic Needs
As the Senate was debating the $87 billion budget request for Iraq, Sen. Debbie Stabenow introduced a proposal called "A Month for America." Stabenow's plan would have taken $5.03 billion (approximately what the U.S. will send per month to Iraq) from the reconstruction money and directed it towards domestic needs, including health care for veterans, school construction, and highway repairs. Stabenow's proposal was rejected 59-35 mostly along party lines.
EMILY's List Members Rise to the Challenge
In August, three generous EMILY's List members issued a challenge to the membership-at-large: match their $500,000 gift and raise $1 million to help jump-start EMILY's List's WOMEN VOTE!. The response was overwhelming. We surpassed our goal of $500,000, raising more than $1 million for a massive WOMEN VOTE! campaign that will help mobilize women voters to elect pro-choice Democratic women and Democrats up and down the ticket. This tremendous response shows that our members are energized and eager to kick George W. Bush out of the White House and restore progressive values to government. Thank you for helping us take advantage of this generous windfall. Working together, we can win!