Week of March 29, 2005
Pro-Choice Democratic Women Counter Anti-Choice, Anti-Family Planning Bills
An increasing number of states are considering legislation that would make family planning even more difficult by allowing pharmacists to refuse to fill women's prescriptions for contraceptives. Some states, including Mississippi and Arkansas, already have refusal clauses on the books. State legislatures with strong pro-choice Democratic women leaders, however, are pre-empting or countering this extreme and intrusive move. New Jersey Assemblywoman Linda Stender, who was supported by the EMILY's List Political Opportunity Program (POP), has introduced legislation in her state that would require pharmacists to fill birth control prescriptions. West Virginia state Rep. Bobbie Hatfield, also elected with POP help, sponsored a similar bill earlier this month. Putting family planning in the hands of pharmacists would not only allow pharmacists' personal beliefs to take priority over decisions made between a woman and her doctor, but would affect women's basic health care and family decision-making.
Social Security: Bush's War on Women Continues
Numerous polls have been showing for months that the public isn't following Bush's siren song on Social Security privatization. But now the Democratic Policy Committee has released a report detailing the exceptional harm that would come to women under Bush's scheme. Click here for details and shocking statistics.
Nancy Pelosi Speaks Out Against Bush's Budget
As House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi details in a recent report, Bush's budget places an even greater burden on women, lessening the amount of child care assistance, drastically cutting Medicaid (whose adult recipients are over 70 percent female), slashing $19 million from violence against women programs, and completely eliminating programs that ensure gender equality in the classroom. Maybe Bush's current approval ratings (the lowest of his presidency) will wake him up to public opinion on his decidedly uncompassionate policies.
EMILY Turns 20: Measuring our Achievements and Challenges in Numbers
In the 20 years since EMILY's List was founded, the number of women serving at every level of elected office has increased significantly. Still, barriers remain for women candidates... To continue reading the second part in our 20th anniversary series, click here.
The 14th Annual Majority Council Conference is Just Around the Corner
This year's conference is in Washington, DC, on April 21 and 22. You are guaranteed to leave this event with renewed hope and dedication, energized by the accomplishments of our fabulous candidates and the strength of fellow Majority Council members from across the country.