For Immediate Release
Apr 1, 2004

Week of April 1, 2003

Murray Struggles for Sensible Abortion Laws

In an attempt to counter so-called "partial birth abortion" legislation, Sen. Patty Murray proposed an amendment that would have expanded birth control insurance coverage and education. The amendment, which was struck down by the Republican-led Senate, would have required private health plans to cover prescription birth control for women in the same way they do other doctor-prescribed drugs, including Viagra for men (Los Angeles Times, 3/19). Anti-choice Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA) citing budget rules, invoked a procedure that caused the amendment to be killed (The New York Times, 3/12). Republicans "have set the record straight that they don't stand for women's health," said Murray.

Boxer Victorious in Fight to Save ANWR

Sen. Barbara Boxer dealt what the New York Times called "a crippling blow" to the Bush administration's energy plan last week. Boxer led the charge to prevent oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) by stripping the provision from a budget bill on a narrow 52-48 vote. The success came in the face of bullying by Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK), who issued an "unusual but unmistakable threat to use his power as Appropriations Committee chairman" to take revenge against those who voted to protect ANWR. Thanking her colleagues for hanging tough, Boxer said, "There's something more powerful out there than any senator, even than any president, and that's God's gift to us. And we stood on that side of preserving this wondrous gift." Stevens, however, vowed somewhat creepily, "It's never decided until we win" (New York Times, 3/20). Hmmm, I guess that means EMILY's List has yet another reason to support Boxer's reelection in 2004!

Pelosi Wins High Marks for Leadership in Challenging Times

More than just a fresh face, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi is emerging as an aggressive and decisive leader. Many of Pelosi's colleagues in the Democratic Party are vocally praising her willingness to get out in front of Republicans and offer clear alternatives to their proposals. "She takes on the tough decisions and doesn't dodge them or delegate them to someone else," said Rep. John Spratt (D-SC). Pelosi's tenacity in taking on the GOP is increasing optimism within the party that Democrats are on the mend from the last elections. "We have a clear agenda as Democrats that makes sure to distinguish us," said Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL). "That's a strategy that has been carefully developed by Nancy Pelosi" (Roll Call, 3/17).

Clinton Announces Air Force Academy Changes

With outrage escalating over the Air Force Academy's persistent mistreatment of rape and sexual assault victims, Sen. Hillary Clinton emerged from a Senate Armed Services briefing last week to announce that the Air Force will replace senior commanders and several ranking officials, and assign female officers to senior posts (Washington Post, 3/26). Air Force Secretary James Roche and others gave senators a closed-door briefing on allegations that dozens of female cadets were ostracized and reprimanded after they reported they were raped. In the House, Rep. Grace Napolitano (D-CA) sent a letter, co-signed by 19 other Democratic congresswomen, to Roche last week calling for a change in the "culture of rape" that is causing women who enter the Academy to be victimized while their assailants go largely unpunished (press release, 3/25). Clinton, when asked about the staffing changes, said, "No, I'm not satisfied, but I believe they are making progress. I believe that changing the leadership is a serious action but it is not sufficient" (Fox News Channel, 3/25).

Democrats Map Strategy to Defend Against GOP Attacks

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee announced its plan to put the Democrats back in charge in the U.S. House. The plan, which focuses heavily on incumbent retention, calls for the creation of a joint-fundraising committee known as Frontline Democrats, which will help fill the campaign coffers of at-risk incumbents. In addition to unveiling their strategic plans, the DCCC also announced the hiring of new staff, including EMILY's List veteran Karen Petel, who will serve as Deputy Political Director (Roll Call, 3/24). Another EMILY's List pro, Staci Haag, has been named Financial Services Director for the DCCC.

The most recent fundraising figures are out and Republicans are far out-pacing Democrats in the money race. In January and February, Republicans raised four times more money than Democrats: $38.5 million to $9 million (Washington Post, 3/21). This figure does not include the $5 million dollars that was raised at the National Republican Campaign Committee's annual spring dinner this month (Hotline, 3/19).