With Ohio remaining a key presidential swing state, the voting restrictions could have national impacts if they remain in place.
Republican Senators Introduce Bill to Limit Benefits for Same-Sex Spouses
Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced a bill last week that would give states the power to decide whether to give married lesbian and gay couples the same federal benefits that heterosexual married couples receive.
25-Foot Buffer Zone Bill Passes New Hampshire Senate
Buffer zones are critical in protecting patients from verbal and physical harassment, violence, and anti-abortion protesters who may block their path into a clinic. Since the beginning of 2013, clinic patients in New Hampshire have filed over 60 complaints that detail harassment and intimidation.
Iowa House Votes to Ban Telemedicine Abortion
Iowa’s telemedicine abortion program has been heralded as a safe and effective form of reproductive health care since its implementation five years ago, and allows women living in rural areas to obtain the medication without having to travel.
Kansas Senate Comes Out Against Anti-Gay Legislation
If signed into law, HB 2453 would allow the refusal of government services to same-sex couples, as well as private services such as access to stores and medical services, making LGBTQ people effectively second-class citizens.
Virginia Senate Passes Bill To Repeal Ultrasound Law
“Women–and men–from across Virginia have been clear: they’re done with politically motivated bills that attack women’s health.”
South Dakota Bill Would Ban Second Trimester Abortions
South Dakota is already one of the most restrictive states for women’s health.
Senate Cuts Food Stamps For 850,000 Households
850,000 households across the country – encompassing 1.7 million people – are now set to lose around $90 a month in food stamp benefits because of the US Senate vote last night on the 2014 Farm Bill.
Family Medical Leave Act Turns 21 Today
Some 100 million U.S. workers have enjoyed time off because of the FMLA, and most employers have reported no negative impact on business profitability or productivity because of the law.
Minnesota Lawmakers Introduce Women’s Economic Security Act
Last week, Minnesota lawmakers introduced an expansive legislative package — dubbed the “Women’s Economic Security Act of 2014″ — to address a wide range of issues affecting women working outside of the home, including mandated paid sick leave, increased minimum wage and expanded access to childcare.
Local Pregnancy Discrimination Laws Go Into Effect While PWFA Remains Stalled in Congress
The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, currently stalled in both chambers of Congress, would require every employer in the nation to provide the same accommodations and protections to their employees.
New York State Assembly Passes Omnibus Women’s Equality Act
“All of these issues are related. A woman’s reproductive rights are just as related to how she can care for her family as discrimination in the workplace. Connecting the dots on women’s equality is important. “
FAMILY Act Introduced Today
If passed, the act will help millions of workers afford take time off to address their own serious health condition or to care for an immediate family member or new child.
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Ohio “Heartbeat” Bill Reintroduced
Conservative lawmakers in Ohio reintroduced a bill to ban abortion once a fetal heartbeat is detected, which can be as early as six weeks into a pregnancy.
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Cancellation of Sequestration Would Lead to 1.6 Million New Jobs
According to a new analysis released by The Congressional Budget Office, a full cancellation of the sequester by August 1 would allow for the creation of up to 1.6 million jobs. It has been predicted that sequestration will lead to the loss of up to 700,000 jobs as well.
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House Passes Bill Investigating Discharges of Military Sexual Assault Survivors
Yesterday the House passed an amendment to the 2014 defense appropriations bill that seeks to increase support of military sexual assault victims who have faced separation from the military based on alleged mental disorders.
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Senate Passes Student Loan Reform Bill
On Wednesday, the Senate passed legislation to lower interest rates on student loans 81-18. If the bill is passed in the House, it will reach President Obama, who has expressed his support of the legislation and urged Congress to also tackle the rising cost of tuition and the existing $1 trillion in student debt.
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Texas Lawmaker Introduces Bill Blocking Abortion Restrictions Until Death Penalty Banned
Texas House Representative Harold Dutton Jr. (D) has introduced HB45, a counter-measure that would halt any further abortion restrictions until the state bans capital punishment.
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Gillibrand Gains New Bi-Partisan Support in Fight Against Military Sexual Assault
Today conservative Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Rand Paul (R-KY) will officially announce their support for Senator Kirsten Gillibrand’s provision of the National Defense Reauthorization Act that would remove cases of military sexual assault from the chain of command.
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Texas Passes Anti-Abortion Law, Confiscates Tampons
The Texas state Senate passed an anti-abortion law that threatens to close all but five clinics in the state and has garnered national attention in a vote of 19 to 11 on Friday.
