Hundreds of women gathered at the Oklahoma state Capitol on Tuesday to protest a personhood bill, SB 1433, which states that life begins at conception and would give rights to a fertilized egg. The bill proposes to give “unborn children at every stage of development all the rights, privileges, and immunities available to other persons, […]
Following controversy surrounding an ultrasound bill in Virginia, Pennsylvania House Republicans announced yesterday that a similar ultrasound bill will not go to the floor for a vote, although the bill has 110 co-sponsors. Earlier this week, the Virginia Senate voted 21 to 19 to pass a bill requiring women seeking abortions to have an ultrasound. […]
Today the US Senate voted down the Blunt Amendment 51 to 48. The Blunt Amendment, which was attached to a transportation bill, would have permitted employers to deny their employees health care coverage based on the employer’s “moral” objections. Feminist Majority President Eleanor Smeal, who was standing outside the Senate floor during the vote, celebrated […]
Yesterday conservative radio show host Rush Limbaugh called Sandra Fluke, the Georgetown Law School student who was not allowed to testify at a House Committee hearing on the religious exemption on contraception coverage and women’s health, a “slut.” Limbaugh remarked on his radio show, “What does it say about the college [sic] co-ed Sandra Fluke, […]
This morning, a coalition of 51 national women’s organizations under the banner of HERvotes held a press conference at the National Press Club to announce an unprecedented effort to mobilize women voters on Health and Economic Rights—HERvotes—in 2012. HERvotes groups, angered by the onslaught of attacks on access to contraception and 11 key gains of […]
Judge Ed Gaschler, a state administrative judge, ordered the revocation of Dr. Ann Kristen Neuhaus’ medical license after ruling that the Kansas doctor did not perform adequate mental health examinations on 11 patients (ages 10 to 18) before referring them to the late Dr. George Tiller for late-term abortions in 2003. The order will now […]
Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME) announced that she would not be running for reelection after serving three terms. She indicated that her decision not to run again stemmed from the increased partisanship of the Senate. Snowe stated, “I do find it frustrating that an atmosphere of polarization and ‘my way or the highway’ ideologies has become […]
Yesterday the Virginia Senate voted 21 to 19 to pass a bill requiring women seeking abortions to have an ultrasound. All but one Republican and two Democrats voted in favor of the bill. Because the Senate approved an amendment that was not in the original House bill, which would create an exception for women who […]
Late last week, a federal grand jury charged Bobby Joe Rogers, a homeless man, with destroying the American Family Planning Clinic in Pensacola, Florida, in a firebombing on January 1. Rogers, an opponent of abortion, admitted to purposely setting fire to the clinic and has been charged with arson and damaging a reproductive health facility. […]
The Washington state House of Representatives passed a bill requiring health insurance plans to provide abortion coverage. House Bill 2330 requires that insurance companies in the state of Washington that provide maternity care must also provide abortion services, although religiously-affiliated providers and businesses would be exempt from the rule. “It’s a perfect case in point […]
A delegation of 20 high school and middle school student leaders of Girls Learn International chapters from across the country, together with 25 parents, teachers, GLI Board members and staff are participating in six full days of workshops, panels and presentations in and around the U.N. during the 56th annual session of the Commission on […]
Last week, Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) held a press conference to speak out against the District of Columbia Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act that would prohibit women in the District of Columbia from having an abortion after 20 weeks gestation unless her life is in danger. Representative Norton remarked, “This bill discriminates against women […]
This week, government officials, representatives from the United Nations, private sector officials, and rural women will convene at the United Nations Headquarters in New York for the 56th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW56). The focus of this year’s session will be on improving the situation of rural women and the […]
by Ali Tweedt, FMF Intern Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney’s (D-NY) now-infamous words have gone viral paired with a picture of last Thursday’s all-male panel at the hearing on contraception coverage by religious institutions. The hearing, “Lines Crossed: Separation of Church and State. Has the Obama Administration Trampled on Freedom of Religion and Freedom of Conscience?” was […]
Yesterday, the Maryland state Senate passed a marriage equality bill by a vote of 25 to 22 that will grant marriage equality to lesbian and gay couples. The bill, introduced by Governor Martin O’Malley, has already passed the Maryland House of Delegates and is expected to be signed by the Governor. Although the bill has […]
Yesterday the Texas Department of Health and Human Services announced that it will begin enforcing a law in mid-March prohibiting doctors and clinics affiliated with organizations that provide abortion services from receiving state Medicaid funding. Texas Health and Human Services Commissioner Tom Suehs signed the rule yesterday, which was passed by the Republican Controlled state […]
Yesterday, Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and the House Democratic Steering Committee held a hearing concerning the religious exemption on contraception coverage and women’s health, inviting Sandra Fluke, a student at Georgetown Law School as the sole witness. Leader Pelosi called the hearing in response to the refusal of Representative Darrell Issa (R-CA), Chairman of the […]
North Dakota District Court Judge Wikcham Corwin ruled to keep an existing injunction on a law banning medical abortions in the state, indicating that the law, which would completely ban medical abortion, violates the state constitution. Judge Corwin’s ruling will stand until a decision is reached on a lawsuit filed by the Center for Reproductive […]
The Virginia Senate Health and Education committee voted eight to seven, with all Republicans voting yes, on a “personhood bill,” sponsored by Delegate Bob Marshall (R-Prince William), which states that life begins at conception and would give rights to a fertilized egg. The bill proposes to give “unborn children at every stage of development all […]
Yesterday, the Virginia House of Delegates voted in favor of an amendment, submitted by Republican Governor Bob McDonnell, to a bill requiring women to obtain an ultrasound 24 hours prior to having an abortion. Although women would still be required to obtain an ultrasound, the amendment would allow them to undergo an external, transabdominal ultrasound, […]
