Republicans propose massive cuts in programs that benefit women as they propose increases in Defense spending of $8.1 billion. The House begins consideration of the Continuing Resolution (CR) for funding FY 2011 without which the government will shut down on March 4. Republicans would eliminate Title X domestic family planning programs with a massive cut of $327 million which is what President Obama is requesting in his 2012 budget. International family planning would be cut 32% from FY 2010 spending levels and 38% from the President’s 2012 request. To make matters worse, Republicans explicitly forbid any of this funding go to UNFPA while the President would designate $55 million of these funds to UNFPA in 2011.
“House Republicans are revealing that their utter contempt for women’s programs and their lack of concern for children in these inhumane so-called budget cuts. Every dollar for family planning saves an estimated four dollars of unplanned governmental spending. If you are not going to spend money on family planning, on children’s education, adequate food and nutrition for poor and pregnant women, you will spend more money on health care and prison programs,” responded Eleanor Smeal, President of the Feminist Majority.
While proposing wiping out domestic family planning, Republicans are drastically cutting, by $758 million, the Women Infant Children (WIC) program which provides food and nutrition for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women. The Republican bill also includes a proposed $210 million cut in Maternal and Child Health block grants and $1.83 billion cut in Head Start from 2010 spending levels and $2.27 billion from the President’s 2011 request. The Republicans would also cut dramatically Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) funding by $170 million.
A vast coalition of women’s rights, civil rights, domestic violence, and health groups including the Feminist Majority, Planned Parenthood Federation of American (PPFA) NARAL, National Organization for Women (NOW), National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) are determined to fight these Republican draconian measures.
14 comments
Republican New War on programs that benefit women - Women Media Watch | Women Media Watch says:
Feb 16, 2011
[...] Republican House Leaders Launch New War on Women Tags: Child · child-health · down-on-march · economy · [...]
Karen Littell says:
Feb 23, 2011
Read the Constitution! There is NOTHING in there that says the federal government is supposed to pay for all the stuff you are whining about the GOP cutting. They are doing the job WE voted them into office to do. We don’t have any money!! We have to cut back. This country can’t just continue to borrow and borrow to fund everything for everybody. You do not speak for most women. You do not speak for me, I believe in paying my bills, not borrowing more and more money. You just don’t get it. WE DON’T HAVE THE MONEY TO CONTINUE THIS CRAZY SPENDING!!!!!
Jenn says:
Apr 1, 2011
You know we have the biggest military budget in the world right? I mean.. even give the ratio of our size we spend many times more than countries we do business with and even when we weren’t at war more money went to the military than any other one line item?. We aren’t suggesting the U.S. spend money it doesn’t have. We’re suggesting it slash the biggest source of money loss instead of one of the smallest and consider taxing corporations like GE (who paid nothing on their 14 billion dollars of profit for 2010).
JL says:
Apr 28, 2011
Easy to say from your perch in your ivory tower. You obviously have never experienced poverty. Do expect the underprivileged to starve?? Statements like this are what’s wrong with this country…
JL says:
Apr 28, 2011
and did you even read the article? why should we needlessly increase defense spending and cut much more beneficial programs such as this?? stop believing everything your hear on FNC and think for yourself!!
The War on Women Knows No Borders: Why Funding the UNFPA Matters : Ms Magazine Blog says:
Feb 25, 2011
[...] Anushay Hossain · Leave a Comment As new blows keep coming in the Republican domestic war on women, it’s easy to forget that they’ve also launched a global assault on women’s [...]
KJ Miller says:
Apr 15, 2011
But Americans can afford two wars and perhaps a third? I would much rather depend in my old age on children who grew up properly nourished, protected, and well educated rather than under nourished, frightened, and ignorant.
Lily Bart says:
Mar 11, 2011
There are many things in “the constitution” that are very interestingly interpreted when it comes to creating law. It’s a ridiculous and short-sighted approach to immediately flip out and talk about deficit spending (usually due to a very overbearing, sheltered male influence who consistently regurgitates the moron pundits and knows jack all about economics)…not to mention sad, coming from a female. We find plenty of money for corporate welfare and strange religious groups, but it never ceases to amaze me how quickly republican women will lash out against other ladies in some sort of frenzied hate speech. The best trick republicans ever pulled in this country was convincing so many people to vote against their own freedom/prosperity over and over again. Great post.
Jane says:
Apr 3, 2011
Read the constitution! There is nothing in there that says that the government is mandated to increase defense spending at the expense of social programs that help vulnerable populations! Also, take an economics course regarding how the financial system works (specifically pay attention to the part about U.S. deficit spending and floating currency values). Also, this article is not being essentialist. It is not arguing that every woman has the same interests or ideals. It is advocating for women who do not hold power and do not have a strong voice. When making policy choices, we have to weigh the needs of every citizen and some citizens do not have the capacity to meet basic needs. It is just reality, not idealism. What would we have them do instead? Look at third world countries to understand what happens to a state that cannot aid its vulnerable populations.
Dorcas says:
Apr 7, 2011
We seem to find money to start wars all over the world. Did we really need to enter Libya?
Jaber says:
May 30, 2011
Spending on wars is a horrible waste of time, money, and lives. Yes. Spending for most other programs is a waste of time and money. If laws were relaxed across the board — for citizen and business entity alike — then business could grow and afford to hire. Gerald Ford said, “A government big enough to give you everything you want is a government big enough to take from you everything you have.”
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May 26, 2012
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Sep 27, 2012
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