Results tagged “Women's Rights”

April 19, 2013

The Washington Post reports, "A group opposed to abortion announced Tuesday that it is launching the first radio ad of the Virginia governor's race. Women Speak Out Virginia, a political action committee affiliated with the antiabortion group Susan B. Anthony List, is funding a $50,000 ad buy targeting Democratic gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe."

Progressive point: Ken Cuccinelli has made a career out of attacking women's health, opposing abortion even in the case of rape or incest. Now out-of-state extremists are swooping in to mislead Virginians about his record. The bottom line? Cuccinelli's anti-choice crusade is extreme and risky to women's health. 

Get the Facts:

Marjorie Dannenfelser Is President Of SBA List - Supported Virginia's Mandatory Transvaginal Ultrasound Bill. When Chris Matthews questioned Dannenfelser about a bill in Virginia effectively requiring women to undergo transvaginal ultrasounds before obtaining an abortion, Dannenfelser stated, "Really, this is a matter of giving a woman more information that she needs to make a decision that`s fully informed. [...] The reason the majority of women in Virginia and across the country support this is that they believe in that vulnerable spot in a very difficult place, that more information is better. And making -- there are two decisions to make. One decision is a medical decision. One is about the very contentious, very difficult decision about what is actually happening in an abortion. And that ultrasound speaks to that. It`s science. It`s a scientific opinion backing up a medical reality. And a moral -" Dannenfelser was cut off before completing her sentence. [MSNBC, Hardball, 2/22/12]

 
SBA List Defended Todd Akin Following His "Legitimate Rape" Comments. According to the Washington Post, "Republican leadership has a not so-subtle-hint for Todd Akin: They would like the Missouri Senate candidate, who remarked that 'legitimate rape' rarely results in pregnancy, out of the race -- and sooner rather than later. [...] Pro-life groups, however, have taken a decidedly different take. Both the Susan B. Anthony List and Family Research Council have stood by Akin. They don't see him as a politician who has made a career ending gaffe. In their view, he's a strong abortion right opponent who articulated a tenet of the pro-life movement: Abortion should be illegal in all situations, rape included. 'Todd Akin ... has a record of voting to protect human life,' said Susan B. Anthony List President Marjorie Dannenfelser, reaffirming her support in a statement. He 'has been an excellent partner in the fight for the unborn.'" [Washington Post, 8/21/12]

Cuccinelli has been forthright about the true intent of these TRAP restrictions: to "make abortion disappear in America." [YouTube, 5/7/12]

Politically motivated restrictions ignored the medical advice of Board's own physician experts.

• The Board of Health ignored the medical advice of physician-experts, choosing instead to promulgate regulations not based in evidence-based medicine. Several members of the physician advisory board subsequently denounced the regulations and requested their names be removed from the draft document. [Associated Press, 12/3/11] 

When the Board of Health finally heeded the advice of medical professionals and voted to grandfather existing facilities, Cuccinelli bullied the Board into rescinding their decision.

• Cuccinelli refused to certify draft regulations that exempted existing facilities from expensive, burdensome, and medically unnecessary physical plant requirements that have only ever been applied to new construction. [Virginian Pilot, 9/13/12]
• Cuccinelli "threatened Board of Health members that they could be denied state legal counsel and have to pay for their own defense if they again disregard his advice about relaxing controversial abortion clinic rules and litigation ensues." [Virginian Pilot, 9/13/12]
• The Washington Post called the move "classic Cuccinelli: ideological activism masquerading as professional legal "advice." [Washington Post, 7/27/12]

Health Commissioner Karen Remley subsequently resigned her position over Cuccinelli's political meddling in the regulatory process.

• In her resignation letter, Remley explained, "how specific sections of the Virginia Code pertaining to the development and enforcement of these regulations have been and continue to be interpreted has created an environment in which my ability to fulfill my duties is compromised and in good faith I can no longer serve in my role." [Richmond Times Dispatch, 4/10/13]

The politicized regulatory process has ignored guidelines issued by Governor McDonnell in a 2010 executive order.

• Executive Order 14 requires agencies to assess less costly alternatives to regulations, including "the use of information disclosure requirements." [Executive Order 14, Office of the Governor] 
• An economic impact analysis issues by the Virginia Department of Planning and Budget finds the new restrictions will cost women's health centers between $200,000 and $5M in construction and renovation costs. However, the Department also found "no apparent method that both minimizes the adverse impact to small businesses (abortion facilities)" and provided no information disclosure alternative. [Economic Impact Analysis, Virginia Department of Planning and Budget]
• The order also declares that regulations are to be based on "the best reasonably available reliable scientific, economic, and other information." [Executive Order 14, Office of the Governor]
• As noted above, the Board ignored the medical advice they solicited from a panel of physician experts. [Associated Press, 12/3/11]

Efforts to limit women's access to comprehensive reproductive health care, including safe and legal abortion, are overwhelmingly opposed by Virginians.

• 86 percent of Virginia voters believe abortion should be legal in all or some circumstances. [NBC News, 4/10/13] 
• 69 percent of Virginians believe medical experts, not politicians, should set medical regulations over first trimester abortion. [Virginia Coalition to Protect Women's Health, 3/20/13] 
• 58 percent of Virginians oppose the new building requirements for first-trimester abortion services, compared to 35% who favor them. [Virginia Coalition to Protect Women's Health, 3/20/13] 
• Over 3,600 Virginians submitted public comments opposing the regulations, which were delivered to the Board of Health by ProgressVA and Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia. [ProgressVA, 3/28/13] 

Cuccinelli's career-long crusade to limit women's access to health services, including his meddling in this regulatory process, has earned him campaign checks and endorsements from an array of right-wing extremists.

• Citing his long record in favor of limiting reproductive rights, the anti-women's health Susan B. Anthony List endorsed Cuccinelli's campaign for governor and pledged $1.5M to the effort. [Politico,  2/28/13] 
• The Family Research Council, a Southern Poverty Law Center designated hate group, endorsed Cuccinelli's campaign for governor. [Family Research Council, 3/29/13]

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March 1, 2013

The Washington Post reports, "The Republican-controlled House on Thursday approved an updated version of the Violence Against Women Act that includes new protections for gay men and lesbians, part of an effort by GOP leaders to improve their image among women after last year's poor election results... [House Majority Leader Eric]  Cantor, who had led the GOP's effort on the issue, voted against it. Minority Democrats let out a cheer on the House floor as the Cantor bill fell -- and again when the Senate measure was approved. Many who had pushed the legislation for months declared victory."

Progressive Point: It's incredible that any politician would champion the rights of violent criminals at the expense of women and children's safety. But many conservatives in Congress, under Eric Cantor's leadership, voted yesterday to oppose renewing protections for abused women and children. Meanwhile, they're fighting for the power of criminals, rapists, and stalkers to get guns. Stronger gun laws help keep guns out of the hands of violent criminals. The Violence Against Women Act revolutionized the way we prosecute violent criminals. House conservatives refuse to support both.

The new bipartisan Violence Against Women Act bill resolves the procedural complaint House conservatives used as an excuse to force this landmark law to expire -- but it didn't resolve their opposition to extending the law's protections to more women. A woman's chances of being killed by her abuser increase more than 7 times if he's got a gun. Our laws should protect all women and children from violence and keep violent criminals from getting guns, and the new Violence Against Women Act does just that.

Get the Facts:

• Only 1 of Virginia's 8 Republican Congressmen voted for the Violence Against Women Act. All 3 Democratic Virginia Congress voted in favor, resulting in just 4 out of Virginia's 11 Congressmen voting favorably. (Clerk.House.gov)


• Via Message Matters:
  • Women are nearly 6 times more likely to be shot by husbands, boyfriends, and ex-partners than murdered by male strangers.
  
  
  • A woman's chances of being killed by her abuser increase more than 7 times if he has access to a gun.
  
  
  • Women in states with higher gun ownership rates are almost 5 times more likely to be murdered by a gun than women in states with lower gun ownership rates.
  
  
  • Domestic violence has dropped by more than half since the Violence Against Women Act became law in 1994. With more victims coming forward, reports of abuse have also increased by 50%.
  
  
  • The new bipartisan bill introduced in the Senate resolves the "blue slip" excuse House Republicans used as cover to oppose the bill last year, by removing an immigration-related provision that Senate Democrats are planning to enact later as part of immigration reform.
  
  
  • There is not a single House Republican who has signed onto the House version of the Violence Against Women Act reauthorization bill in the 113th Congress.
  
  
  • Women bear the brunt of domestic and sexual violence:
    • In the U.S., 1 in every 4 women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime and 1.3 million women are victims of physical assault by an intimate partner every year.
    
    
    • 85% of domestic violence victims are women.
    
    
    • Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBTQ) victims experience domestic violence in 25% to 35% of relationships -- about the same rate as in the general population.
    
    
    • American Indians are 2.5 times more likely to experience sexual assault crimes compared to all other races, and one in three Indian women reports having been raped during her lifetime.
  
  
  
  • Many Senate and House Republicans both tried to exclude immigrant, Native American, and gay and lesbian victims from the Act's full protections last year.

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January 10, 2013

The Virginian-Pilot reports, "The General Assembly's opening Wednesday served notice that 2013 may offer a repeat of last year's high-profile fights on abortion rights that are still fresh in the memories of legislature observers. Several Republicans have filed bills to curb abortions in some circumstances by ending state support for the procedures for poor women who are going to have a deformed baby, making it criminal for doctors to perform abortions based on gender, and limiting coverage of contraception."

Progressive Point: Conservative politicians have paid lip service to dropping their attacks on women's health but their actions tell a different story. Far from getting back to work for Virginia families, conservatives have instead expanded their agenda to include not only limiting access to safe and legal abortion, but also preventing women from accessing basic reproductive health services. On their agenda? Limiting access to contraception, making it harder for low-income women to access reproductive health care, and flat-out abortion bans.

Virginians have made clear that we don't support this extreme, right-wing agenda. It's time for our leaders to get back to work and focus on expanding health care access and opportunity instead of denying women their constitutionally-protected rights.

Get the Facts:

• Harmful legislation being pushed by conservatives this year includes a bill put forward by Del. Bob Marshall "to criminalize sex-selective abortions and to free businesses from providing contraceptive coverage" and another from Sen. Tom Garrett "which would eliminate state support for poor women to have an abortion when a doctor concludes the fetus would be born with an incapacitating disability." (Virginian-Pilot, January 9, 2013)


• Targeted Regulation of Abortion Providers (TRAP) legislation, recently signed by Gov. McDonnell, singles out women's health centers that provide abortions and forces them to comply with hospital standards. No other outpatient clinic in Virginia, including those performing oral and cosmetic surgery, are forced to adhere to these standards. The underlying purpose is to force clinic closure by requiring unaffordable construction. (Washington Post, July 27, 2012)


• The Reproductive Rights Caucus is supporting legislation to repeal the TRAP law, "bills to repeal the mandatory ultrasound law, legislation to protect birth control and ensure it isn't defined as abortion, proposals to give civil immunity to doctors who don't perform preabortion ultrasounds, and to allow women to opt out of an ultrasound."(Virginian-Pilot, January 9, 2013)

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January 3, 2013

The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports, "Gov. Bob McDonnell has certified health regulations that impose strict hospital construction standards on Virginia abortion clinics -- triggering the next step in a multitiered approval process that could make the revised rules permanent by this summer. Unlike the public relations ballyhoo that accompanies many executive actions, McDonnell, an anti-abortion Republican, certified the regulations and had them posted to the Virginia Town Hall website without a public announcement on the Friday between the Christmas and New Year's holidays."

Progressive Point: Politicians have no place interfering in women's private health care decisions. These targeted regulations of abortion providers will likely shut down women's health clinics, an outrageous interference in decisions that should be between a woman and her doctor, her family, and her faith.

These regulations are designed to restrict women's access to health care and safe access to abortions. Respected medical professionals have been clear that these regulations have nothing to do with patient safety. It's outrageous that any Virginia leader would put their political agendas before our families' health. But in less than three weeks from the upcoming 40^th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, Bob McDonnell has done just that.

Get the Facts:

• This legislation, signed by Gov. McDonnell, singles out women's health centers that provide abortions and forces them to comply with hospital standards. No other outpatient clinic in Virginia, including those performing oral and cosmetic surgery, are forced to adhere to these standards. The underlying purpose is to force clinic closure by requiring unaffordable construction. (Washington Post, July 27, 2012)


• Despite voting in June to exempt existing health centers from these new regulations, the Virginia Board of Health bowed to pressure from Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli and reversed their decsision to grandfather in Virginia's 20 women's health clinics. (Richmond Times-Dispatch, January 3, 2013)


• In addition to family planning services, Virginia's women's health clinics provide life-saving cancer screenings and health care services like STD screenings. (ProgressVA, June 14, 2012)

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October 26, 2012

The Virginian-Pilot editorializes, "Political power often tempts elected officials to overreach, but rarely does the abuse of authority cause the kind of injury Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli's has inflicted on the state Board of Health. The board is by law independent. It is authorized to draft regulations. Last month, however, it caved to Cuccinelli's demands to reverse a decision that would have exempted existing abortion clinics from a 2011 law that requires such facilities to meet hospital construction requirements. The board's reversal will likely require most of the 20 clinics across the commonwealth to undertake expensive renovations to comply with new architectural standards or to be shut down. That is the real goal of Cuccinelli and the anti-abortion activists behind the law."

Progressive Point: Our Attorney General should be protecting our families, enforcing the law, and advocating for consumers. But Ken Cuccinelli has prioritized his own political career over Virginia families. He's abused his power as Attorney General and misinterpreted the law to further his crusade against women's reproductive freedom, climate science, equal workplace protections, and much more.

There's a reason Virginia has a tradition of Attorneys General resigning to run for Governor: using the office to wage a political campaign is unethical and a waste of taxpayer resources. Virginians, not his political career, should be Cuccinelli's first priority.

Get the Facts:

• Dr. Karen Remley, former health commissioner, told Governor McDonnell "she could not 'in good faith' run the Health Department and carry out new regulations--mandated by the legislature, approved by McDonnell and muscled into place by Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli--that compel the state's 20 abortion clinics to comport themselves as hospitals." (Richmond Times-Dispatch, October 21, 2012)


• The 2011 legislation, signed by Gov. McDonnell, singles out women's health centers that provide abortions and forces them to comply with hospital standards. No other outpatient clinic in Virginia, including those performing oral and cosmetic surgery, are forced to adhere to these standards. The underlying purpose is to force clinic closure through requiring unaffordable construction. (Washington Post, July 27, 2012)


• In addition to family planning services, Virginia's women's health clinics provide life-saving cancer screenings and health care services like STD screenings. (ProgressVA, June 14, 2012)


• Mitt Romney, Paul Ryan, and Bob McDonnell's party platform "salutes" Virginia's new anti-abortion legislation that originally required women to undergo a trans-vaginal ultrasound probe if they sought to pursue their constitutionally protected right to choose. (Washington Post, August 21, 2012)

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October 22, 2012

Jeff Schapiro editorializes in the Richmond Times-Dispatch, "Karen Remley's resignation as health commissioner in a perceived protest over Virginia's crackdown on abortion clinics means there's one less woman in Gov. Bob McDonnell's binder. Her departure this past week could not have come at a worse time for McDonnell: the final stage of a bitter struggle, in which the guy Mitt Romney passed over for VP is frequently front and center, to prevent a Barack Obama repeat in Virginia that could decide the presidency. Remley's resignation is the latest Richmond-specific data point in a string of them since winter that further perfects the record of GOP hostility for abortion rights, putting Republicans at a further disadvantage with those Virginians whose votes, according to public polls, count the most this year: women, in particular, those in the suburbs."

Progressive Point: Politicians should never interfere in the private health care decisions that should be between a woman, her family, and her faith. It's deplorable that Attorney General Cuccinelli and Governor McDonnell are attacking women's health, restricting access to health clinics, threatening to criminalize some forms of birth control and trying to mandate transvaginal ultrasounds. Now they have compromised the ability of dedicated Virginia public servants to promote the health of all Virginians.

It's never been clearer that McDonnell and Cuccinelli's regulations are designed to limit access to safe and legal abortion in the Commonwealth. We need leaders who share our values, who will focus on the issues important to us, and who put our needs above these divisive and harmful political agendas. Cuccinelli and McDonnell should be ashamed of what their right-wing agenda and bullying of the Board of Health has cost Virginia.

Get the Facts:

• Karen Remley, now former health commissioner, told Governor McDonnell "she could not 'in good faith' run the Health Department, carrying out new regulations -- mandated by the legislature, approved by McDonnell and muscled by Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli -- that compel the state's 20 abortion clinics to comport themselves as hospitals." (Richmond Times-Dispatch, October 21, 2012)


• The recent legislation, signed by Gov. McDonnell, singles out women's health centers that provide abortions and forces them to comply with hospital standards. No other outpatient clinic in Virginia, including those performing oral and cosmetic surgery, are forced to adhere to these standards. The underlying purpose is to force clinic closure through requiring unaffordable construction. (Washington Post, July 27, 2012)


• In addition to family planning services, Virginia's women's health clinics provide life-saving cancer screenings and health care services like STD screenings. (ProgressVA, June 14, 2012)


• Mitt Romney, Paul Ryan, and Bob McDonnell's party platform "salutes" Virginia's new anti-abortion legislation that originally required women to undergo a trans-vaginal ultrasound probe if they sought to pursue their constitutionally protected right to choose. (Washington Post, August 21, 2012)

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October 18, 2012

The Washington Post reports, "George Allen held no public events Wednesday, instead hunkering down to prepare for his fifth Senate debate against Timothy M. Kaine and their final one before Election Day. Kaine (D) stuck to plans to tour a Colonial Heights hummus plant that he had helped draw to the state as governor but also squeezed in time for debate practice. The two former governors, vying for the seat held by retiring Sen. James Webb (D), will meet for an hour-long debate starting at 7 p.m. Thursday at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg."

Progressive Point: Women's issues are economic issues and family issues. Like Mitt Romney, George Allen is hiding his record because he doesn't want to reveal his true priorities to Virginia families. Allen has refused to stand up for equal pay for equal work or condem legislation that puts politicians, not women and their doctors, in charge of health decisions.  Allen even supports federal personhood legislation that would criminalize some forms of birth control.

Women want the peace of mind of knowing they and their families will be able to get the health care they need. Twenty million women with private insurance have already taken advantage of the health care reform law's prevention benefits, including access to mammograms, contraception, and health check-ups without extra cost. But George Allen wants to repeal these common sense protections and put insurance companies back in control of your health care. If George Allen won't stand up for women while he's running for office, how can we ever expect him to do so in the Senate?

Get the Facts:

• At the previous debate last week, when asked about transvaginal ultrasound and personhood legislation George Allen refused to answer the question and "punted and pivoted." (Politico, October 8, 2012)


• Allen Maintained Silence On Lilly Ledbetter Act. Reported the Richmond Times-Dispatch in April 2012, "Democrats leapt at the soft endorsement, asking where Allen stood on the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, a law that helps women hold accountable employers who discriminate in the pay practices based on gender. . . . 'Allen should explain why he finds it easier to endorse Mitt Romney than he does standing up for the basic concept that women should receive equal pay for equal work,' said Del. Jennifer L. McClellan, D-Richmond." [Richmond Times-Dispatch, 4/17/12 ]


• Three Times, Allen Voted Against The Family And Medical Leave Act. As a Congressman, Allen voted three times against the Family and Medical Leave Act, which gives workers up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave to care for a newborn or sick relative." [AP, 11/2/2000; HR 2, Vote 393, 11/13/1991 ; S5, Vote 390,9/10/1992 ; S5, Vote 443, 9/30/1992 ]


• Allen: "[I] Support Legislation Declaring The Personhood Of Every Individual Life."[Allen website, "Virginia Values for Washington," accessed 7/1/11 ]


• After Personhood Legislation Passed VA House, Allen Campaign Said He Supported It. In February 2012, after personhood legislation passed in the Virginia House of Delegates, theTimes-Dispatch reported: " 'Does George Allen support the 'personhood' measure in the Virginia House of Delegates that is sponsored by his challenger, Delegate Bob Marshall?' Kaine's campaign asked in a press release. Later in the afternoon, Allen's campaign offered a simple answer: Yes. 'This measure is about protecting innocent unborn life. If a criminal hits a pregnant mother injuring or killing the unborn child, then there would be a cause of action for that child as well,' elaborated Allen spokeswoman Katie Wright. 'Democrats are desperately trying to make this a battle over contraceptives. As George Allen has often said he is opposed to the government prohibiting or banning contraceptives - and this bill doesn't do that,' she added." [Virginia Politics blog, Times-Dispatch, 2/14/12 ]


• Allen Supported The Blunt Amendment. In February 2012, after the Blunt amendment failed to pass in the Senate, George Allen announced his support for the amendment. Allen's spokesperson said, "While George Allen does not support banning contraceptives, Americans in this instance should not be forced to choose between following a government mandate or adhering to their own deeply held religious beliefs. The fact that we are even having this discussion shows the serious problems Obamacare imposes on Virginia families and small businesses, and it's another reason Tim Kaine should listen to the people of Virginia who want to see it repealed and replaced." The Washington Post described that the amendment, "would have rolled back the Obama administration's health coverage rule by allowing insurance companies and employers to opt out of covering prescriptions, such as contraceptions, or procedures they object to on religious or moral grounds." [Virginia Politics, Washington Post, 3/1/12 ]

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October 9, 2012

Politico reports, "Republican George Allen is well aware he needs to close the gender gap with women in order to win the Virginia Senate race. The severity of that challenge was on full display Monday night in his fourth debate with Democrat Tim Kaine. When asked about proposals in the GOP-led General Assembly's this year to require an ultrasound before women could get an abortion and to codify that life begins at conception -- so-called 'personhood' legislation -- Allen punted and pivoted."

Progressive Point: Women's issues are economic issues. George Allen's failure to support equal pay for equal work and his opposition to universal contraception coverage shows he just doesn't get it.

Thanks to Obamacare, when a woman or her child gets sick, she won't have to panic about how to pay the bill. But George Allen wants to repeal these common sense protections and even supports a federal personhood amendment that would criminalize some forms of birth control. Tim Kaine was right when he said, "You can't empower women in the economy if you take away their choices."

Get the Facts: Via the DSCC:

• Allen Maintained Silence On Lilly Ledbetter Act. Reported the Richmond Times-Dispatch in April 2012, "Democrats leapt at the soft endorsement, asking where Allen stood on the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, a law that helps women hold accountable employers who discriminate in the pay practices based on gender. . . . 'Allen should explain why he finds it easier to endorse Mitt Romney than he does standing up for the basic concept that women should receive equal pay for equal work,' said Del. Jennifer L. McClellan, D-Richmond." [Richmond Times-Dispatch, 4/17/12 ]


• Three Times, Allen Voted Against The Family And Medical Leave Act. As a Congressman, Allen voted three times against the Family and Medical Leave Act, which gives workers up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave to care for a newborn or sick relative." [AP, 11/2/2000; HR 2, Vote 393, 11/13/1991 ; S5, Vote 390, 9/10/1992 ; S5, Vote 443, 9/30/1992 ]


• Allen: "[I] Support Legislation Declaring The Personhood Of Every Individual Life."[Allen website, "Virginia Values for Washington," accessed 7/1/11 ]


• After Personhood Legislation Passed VA House, Allen Campaign Said He Supported It. In February 2012, after personhood legislation passed in the Virginia House of Delegates, theTimes-Dispatch reported: " 'Does George Allen support the 'personhood' measure in the Virginia House of Delegates that is sponsored by his challenger, Delegate Bob Marshall?' Kaine's campaign asked in a press release. Later in the afternoon, Allen's campaign offered a simple answer: Yes. 'This measure is about protecting innocent unborn life. If a criminal hits a pregnant mother injuring or killing the unborn child, then there would be a cause of action for that child as well,' elaborated Allen spokeswoman Katie Wright. 'Democrats are desperately trying to make this a battle over contraceptives. As George Allen has often said he is opposed to the government prohibiting or banning contraceptives - and this bill doesn't do that,' she added." [Virginia Politics blog, Times-Dispatch, 2/14/12 ]


• Allen Supported The Blunt Amendment. In February 2012, after the Blunt amendment failed to pass in the Senate, George Allen announced his support for the amendment. Allen's spokesperson said, "While George Allen does not support banning contraceptives, Americans in this instance should not be forced to choose between following a government mandate or adhering to their own deeply held religious beliefs. The fact that we are even having this discussion shows the serious problems Obamacare imposes on Virginia families and small businesses, and it's another reason Tim Kaine should listen to the people of Virginia who want to see it repealed and replaced." The Washington Post described that the amendment, "would have rolled back the Obama administration's health coverage rule by allowing insurance companies and employers to opt out of covering prescriptions, such as contraceptions, or procedures they object to on religious or moral grounds." [Virginia Politics, Washington Post, 3/1/12 ]

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October 5, 2012

The Virginian-Pilot reports, "Del. Bob Marshall wants to free businesses from providing contraception coverage, a move that could limit access to the drugs through employer-backed health plans. Legislation that the Prince William County Republican has filed for the 2013 General Assembly session seeks to undermine a requirement in the Affordable Care Act that employers provide such coverage. In effect, Marshall's HB1314 and 1315 would give employers the option not to cover birth control pills, sterilization procedures or the morning-after pill."

Progressive Point: From personhood to vaginal probes to limiting contraception access, Virginia Republicans just can't seem to stop substituting their judgment for that of a woman and her doctor. Family planning decisions should be made by families. Politicians have no business inserting themselves into parents' decisions about when and how many kids to have.

Under President Obama's policy, women will get access to free birth control no matter where they work and no religious organization will be required to pay for it. Yet conservative politicians like Bob Marshall are actually proposing that any corporation should be able to deny any health service, whether contraception or any other basic care, to anyone who works for them for any reason. We can respect both religious liberty and women's health OR start letting corporations prevent parents from deciding when and how many kids to have.

Get the Facts:

• Bob Marshall's HB1315 would prohibit private insurers from offering policies that provide coverage for contraception unless it's specifically requested by the enrollee. (Virginian-Pilot, October 5, 2012)


• 99% of women use contraception at some time in their lives (Guttmacher Institute, July, 2012)


• More than half of women between 18 and 34 years old have struggled to afford contraception (Planned Parenthood, October, 12, 2010)


• Studies show that more than half of women taking oral contraceptives are using them to treat other health issues rather than prevent pregnancy (Guttmacher Institute, November 15, 2011)


• 61% of Americans support federally-mandated contraception coverage (CBS News, February 14, 2012)

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September 20, 2012

The Washington Post reports, "In a presidential campaign where women's issues have taken a more prominent role than many expected, the crucial swing state of Virginia is becoming the Grand Canyon of gender gaps. A new Washington Post survey indicates that President Obama holds a 19-percentage-point lead (58 to 39 percent) among female likely voters in the commonwealth yet is running six points behind Republican nominee Mitt Romney among men who are likely to vote (50 to 44 percent). That support from women is the reason the president now holds an eight-point advantage overall in Virginia."

Progressive Point: Politicians have no place interfering in decisions that should be between a woman, her doctor, and her faith. Bob McDonnell and Ken Cuccinelli have been focused on attacking women's health, restricting access to health clinics, threatening to criminalize some forms of birth control and trying to mandate transvaginal ultrasounds. Women have been clear in opposing these attempts to trample on our rights, but now Mitt Romney is supporting this same agenda.

The Romney-Ryan platform would turn back the clock on women's rights and restrict our ability to make decisions about our own bodies. Instead of attacking our constitutionally protected rights, our leaders should be focusing on building the middle class and our economic recovery.

Get the Facts:

• The Washington Post's recent poll shows "Obama leads Romney by 22 points on women's issues -- his single biggest advantage in the 10 issues tested... Nearly six in 10 women say social issues, such as abortion and same-sex marriage, will also be a factor." (Washington Post, September 20, 2012)


• The recent legislation, signed by Gov. McDonnell, singles out women's health centers that provide abortions and forces them to comply with hospital standards. No other outpatient clinic in Virginia, including those performing oral and cosmetic surgery, are forced to adhere to these standards. The underlying purpose is to force clinic closure through requiring unaffordable construction. (Washington Post, July 27, 2012)


• In addition to family planning services, Virginia's women's health clinics provide life-saving cancer screenings and health care services like STD screenings. (ProgressVA, June 14, 2012)


• Mitt Romney, Paul Ryan, and Bob McDonnell's party platform "salutes" Virginia's new anti-abortion legislation that originally required women to undergo a trans-vaginal ultrasound probe if they sought to pursue their constitutionally protected right to choose. (Washington Post, August 21, 2012)

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September 7, 2012

The Virginian-Pilot reports, "Activists on both sides of the abortion issue are rallying their troops for a Virginia Board of Health meeting next week. The board will meet Sept. 14 for another vote on abortion clinic regulations. The board approved the regulations in June, but Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli refused to certify them... Abortion-rights supporters who cheered the revision are vowing to pack the meeting room again to encourage the board to reject Cuccinelli's position."

Progressive Point: Politicians have no place interfering in decisions that should be between a woman, her doctor, and her faith. Virginia women have a constitutionally protected right to control our own private medical decisions, but Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli is doing his best to end choice in the Commonwealth. He's putting his right-wing political agenda above the health and welfare of Virginia women, trying to shut down women's health clinics that provide safe and legal abortion care.

Ken Cuccinelli isn't trying to protect women's health or keep Virginians safe--he's trying to circumvent the law to end choice in Virginia. We need leaders who share our values, who will focus on the issues important to us, and who put our needs above their political ambitions. Far right-wing politicians like Cuccinelli aren't focused on solving our problems. They're just creating more of them.

Get the Facts:

• Ken Cuccinelli refused to certify regulations adopted by the Virginia Board of Health because they grandfathered in existing clinics from regulations intended to force all women's health clinics to close. (Richmond Times-Dispatch, July 17, 2012)


• The recent legislation, signed by Gov. McDonnell, singles out women's health centers that provide abortions and forces them to comply with hospital standards. No other outpatient clinic in Virginia, including those performing oral and cosmetic surgery, are forced to adhere to these standards. The underlying purpose is to force clinic closure through requiring unaffordable construction. (Washington Post, July 27, 2012)


• In addition to family planning services, Virginia's women's health clinics provide life-saving cancer screenings and health care services like STD screenings. (ProgressVA, June 14, 2012)

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August 29, 2012

The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports, "While Mitt Romney trails President Barack Obama among women in recent polls, some of the Republican's Virginia supporters say the way to reach female voters is through their pocketbooks. Both campaigns are targeting female voters in Virginia -- holding women-specific outreach events in the state this week."

Progressive Point: Our country faces big issues but instead of focusing on solutions and growing our economy, conservatives are attacking women's rights. From redefining rape to promoting an extreme anti-choice party platform, Bob McDonnell, Paul Ryan, and Mitt Romney have made clear their focus is on a radical anti-woman agenda.

Far right-wing politicians aren't focused on our real problems. While millions of Americans struggle to find a job, send their kid to college, and pay the bills, conservatives continue their fight to take away women's rights. We need leaders with mainstream American values who will focus on the issues important to us, not politicians with extreme ideologies.

Get the Facts:

• Mitt Romney, Paul Ryan, and Bob McDonnell's party platform "salutes" Virginia's new anti-abortion legislation that originally required women to undergo a trans-vaginal ultrasound probe if they sought to pursue their constitutionally protected right to choose. (Washington Post, August 21, 2012)


• The recent legislation, signed by Gov. McDonnell, singles out women's health centers that provide abortions and forces them to comply with hospital standards. No other outpatient clinic in Virginia, including those performing oral and cosmetic surgery, are forced to adhere to these standards. The underlying purpose is to force clinic closure through requiring unaffordable construction. (Washington Post, July 27, 2012)

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August 22, 2012

The Washington Post reports, "The Republican platform that Gov. Robert F. McDonnell is helping to hammer out in Tampa contains a 'salute' to states that have, like his own, passed 'informed consent' laws meant to dissuade women from having abortions. Virginia's informed consent law, requiring that women seeking an abortion first undergo an ultrasound, brought unflattering national attention to Richmond this year and forced McDonnell into an awkward balancing act."

Progressive Point: America's women have fought long and hard for their rights, far too hard to allow conservative politicians to control their bodies and intrude into women's private medical decisions--let alone with horribly invasive and medically unnecessary procedures. Gov. McDonnell's previous support for trans-vaginal ultrasounds and McDonnell, Mitt Romney, and Paul Ryan's new anti-women party platform has made it even clearer that they are dead wrong on women's rights.

Mitt Romney says he finds Congressman Todd Akin's recent "legitimate rape" comment "insulting" and "inexcusable," but he just chose a running mate whose views are exactly in line with Akin's. Furthermore, Paul Ryan has cosponsored every extreme anti-abortion bill since he's been in office. Mitt Romney, Paul Ryan, and Bob McDonnell have purposely focused their party platform on turning back the clock on women's rights. Their extreme positions make one thing clear: they don't share the values of Virginia women. We need leadership that values and will stand up for women's rights, not attack them.

Get the Facts:

• Mitt Romney, Paul Ryan, and Bob McDonnell's party platform "salutes" Virginia's new anti-abortion legislation that originally required women to undergo a trans-vaginal ultrasound probe if they sought to pursue their constitutionally protected right to choose. (Washington Post, August 21, 2012)


• Paul Ryan has cast 59 votes on abortion issues--every single one being anti-choice. Furthermore, he has co-sponsored the following extreme anti-abortion bills: "Protect Life Act," "The Sanctity of Human Life Act," "The Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act," "The Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act," and "The District of Columbia Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act." (Mother Jones, August 22, 2012)


• Just last year, Rep. Paul Ryan co-sponsored the "No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act" "which, among other things, introduced the country to the bizarre term 'forcible rape.'" (ThinkProgress, August 19, 2012)

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August 16, 2012

The Washington Post reports, "Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin campaigns in Glen Allen and Springfield Friday, less than a week after Mitt Romney unveiled him as his running mate in Norfolk. Ryan will attend a rally at Glen Allen's Deep Run High School in the morning and another at Springfield's West Springfield High School in the afternoon."

Progressive Point: We fought long and hard for equal rights for women so why are Mitt Romney, Paul Ryan, and George Allen trying to turn back the clock? They support extreme personhood legislation that would give a fertilized egg legal rights. Ryan voted against the Lilly Ledbetter Act to ensure woman get paid the same amount as men for doing the same work. They'd even outlaw abortion even in cases of rape and incest as well a certain kinds of birth control. 

Women and their families should make decisions about seeking health care and when to have children, not government politicians. Virginia women need a leadership team in Washington who will stand up for our rights, not attack them. The Romney/Ryan/Allen team's extreme positions make one thing clear: they don't value Virginia women.

Get the Facts:

• Planned Parenthood reports on Paul Ryan's record with women:
  • He voted to end funding to Planned Parenthood, which would have denied nearly three million women and men annually the access to birth control and cancer screenings that Planned Parenthood health centers provide. [H. Con. Res. 36, 2/18/11]
  
  
  • He wants to overturn Roe v. Wade and ban abortion in all cases, a decision that should be left up to a woman, her family, and her faith, with the counsel of her doctor.  Ryan said he opposed all abortions and wants to end all safe and legal abortion with no exceptions for rape, incest, or the life of the woman. [Wisconsin State Journal, 10/9/98; Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 9/26/98]
  
  
  • He wrote a plan to dismantle Medicaid, jeopardizing the basic health care millions of women rely on.  His proposal to overhaul Medicaid would undermine women's health by completely dismantling the Medicaid program, a key public health program that provides basic health care and family planning to millions of women, including well-woman exams, lifesaving cancer screenings, and contraceptive services. [Real Clear Politics, 4/5/11]
  
  
  • Congressman Ryan co-sponsored a so-called "personhood" bill last year, a dangerous measure that would give full constitutional rights to fertilized eggs and could ban some forms of birth control and fertility treatment. [HR 212, introduced1/7/11]
  
  
  • He has tried repeatedly to repeal the Affordable Care Act, which would take away full coverage for birth control and well-woman exams, allow insurance companies to resume charging women more than men for coverage, allow insurance companies to again deny coverage for pre-existing conditions (like breast cancer, pregnancy, and domestic violence), and make it harder for low-income women to get lifesaving cancer screenings. [Real Clear Politics, 4/5/11]

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