The Supreme Court ruled 5 to 4 today to put a temporary hold on a Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that would have closed all but 9 of the state’s abortion clinics in Texas. The order from the Supreme Court comes in response to an emergency request filed by women’s health care providers on […]
Supreme Court Declares Marriage Equality a Constitutional Right
In a 5-4 decision delivered by Justice Anthony Kennedy this morning, the Supreme Court of the United States declared that same-sex couples fundamentally have equal protections under the Constitution.
The Supreme Court Fair Housing Ruling is a Civil Rights Victory
The court in a 5-4 decision written by Justice Anthony Kennedy upheld the use of disparate impact claims under the 1968 Fair Housing Act, which bans housing discrimination on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, familial status, or national origin.
Supreme Court Decides: Obamacare Lives
In a momentous victory, the U.S. Supreme Court today upheld the Affordable Care Act, also known as “Obamacare,” and protected access to health insurance for millions of families and individuals.
Senate Narrowly Approves of Vote for Fast Tracking the TPP
The Senate voted this morning to advance consideration of trade promotion authority, also known as “fast track” authority, for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), barely getting the 60 votes necessary to continue the bill. The cloture vote, which was needed in order to proceed with a vote on fast track authority for the TPP, was narrowly […]
TPP “Fast Track” Headed Back to the Senate Again
In what has become a procedural roller-coaster, the House voted 218 to 208 yesterday to pass Trade Promotion Authority for the Trans-Pacific Partnership.
The Senate Blocked the Military Justice Improvement Act Again
The Military Justice Improvement Act (MJIA), championed by Senator Kirsten Gilibrand (D-NY), was once again blocked by the Senate in a vote yesterday.
BREAKING: Loretta Lynch Takes Oath of Office
Attorney General Loretta Lynch took the oath of office today, becoming the first African American woman to serve in the role.
Supreme Court Refuses to Hear North Carolina Forced Ultrasound Law
The Supreme Court refused to review a North Carolina mandatory ultrasound law this week, permanently blocking what many feel is the most extreme forced ultrasound law in the nation. The North Carolina law, which was passed in 2011, requires a physician perform an ultrasound on a patient seeking an abortion at least four house, and […]
Senator Gillibrand Continues Fight for Military Justice Improvement Act
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand yesterday filed the Military Justice Improvement Act as an amendment to the FY16 National Defense Authorization Act.
Speier and Meehan Introduce HALT Campus Sexual Violence Act
Representatives Jackie Speier (D-CA) and Patrick Meehan (R-PA) today re-introduced the Hold Accountable and Lend Transparency (HALT) Campus Sexual Violence Act to strengthen efforts to combat the epidemic of sexual violence on college campuses. “We have to stop campus sexual assault in its tracks,” said Speier. “We need real enforcement that will make colleges live […]
Groups Hold National Day of Action to Oppose “Fast Tracking” of TPP
Activist groups are hosting a National Call-in Day of Action today, asking individuals across the nation to call their Representatives in the U.S. House and urge them to oppose Trade Promotion Authority, or “Fast Track”, for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a sweeping trade agreement that has raised serious human rights concerns and threatens US jobs. Fast […]
House Passes 20-Week Abortion Ban Limiting Access for Rape Survivors
The House passed a 20-week abortion bill yesterday, making it plain that House Republicans feel that denying women access to abortion care is one of their top three priorities.
Members of Congress Renew the Fight for the Equal Rights Amendment
Congresswomen Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) and Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) re-introduced the Equal Rights Amendment yesterday in a bipartisan effort to put women in the United States Constitution.
The House is Voting on a 20-Week Abortion Ban with Burdensome Rape Requirements Today
House Bill 36 is a restrictive 20-week abortion ban that would force rape survivors seeking abortion care to either report the crime or seek medical care or counseling at least 48 hours prior to having an abortion.
The ERA Was Just Re-Introduced in the Senate for Ratification
Just in time for Mother’s Day, U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.) re-introduced yesterday a joint resolution to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) to the U.S Constitution. S.J. Res. 15 was introduced with 26 original cosponsors including Senator Mark Kirk (R-Il). The resolution would remove the deadline set by congress for ratification of the ERA.
Sen. Reid Promises to Filibuster “Fast Track” for the Trans-Pacific Partnership
Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid has promised to delay efforts to push through the controversial Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal until the Senate first deals with two stalled bills that may soon expire.
House Reverses DC Law Banning Reproductive Health Discrimination by Employers
The US House of Representatives voted Thursday night to overturn a Washington, D.C., law that makes it illegal for employers to retaliate against employees who have premarital sex or who have an abortion.
BREAKING: The Senate Just Confirmed Loretta Lynch for Attorney General After a Five-Month Delay
The amount of time she has been waiting to be confirmed totals the wait time of the last seven attorney general nominees combined.
Four Women Were Just Approved to Join the Cabinet of Afghanistan’s Unity Government
President Ashraf Ghani and CEO Abdullah Abdullah of Afghanistan held their promise to appoint four women in the new cabinet, and the nation’s lower house of Parliament approved them Saturday.