News

A fetal homicide bill passed the New Hampshire Republican-controlled House last week by a vote of 213 to 125. The bill would enable a person who causes the death of a fetus of more than 24 weeks to be criminally charged. Representative Kathleen Souza (R-NH), the sponsor of the bill, stated that the bill is […]

Yesterday the US Supreme Court indicated that it would not hear appeals on two cases—one involving Title IX and the other involving special education. In the Title IX case, the US Supreme Court ruled to uphold the decision of the US Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit in Richmond, VA against a group called […]

President Obama announced today that he will appoint Cecilia Munoz to serve as the Director of the White House Domestic Policy Council. The position was formerly held by Melody Barnes. Munoz has served as the Director of Intergovernmental Affairs at the White House since January 2009. Prior to that, she worked as the Senior Vice […]

Last week, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services Secretary Dennis Smith announced that it will no longer contract with Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin (PPWI) as a part of the Wisconsin Well Woman Program in four counties. Under the Well Woman Program, in which PPWI has served as a state contractor for the past 16 years, […]

Although Rick Santorum has been under fire for his statements opposing contraception, George Stephanopoulos did not direct questions to him regarding his views on the subject during the New Hampshire debate on Saturday. Last week, Santorum indicated last week that he opposed not only to abortion but wants to repeal Griswold v. Connecticut (1965) and […]

Yesterday federal officials arrested Bobby Joe Rogers for allegedly starting a fire on Sunday the American Family Planning clinic in Pensacola, Florida. Rogers faces charges of one count of damaging a building by fire or explosive. He could spend up to 20 years in prison, if he is convicted. The clinic is owned by Dr. […]

Today the White House announced that FBI Director Robert Mueller has approved the change recommended by several committees of the FBI’s Criminal Justice Information Service. The new definition, as it appears on the FBI website, is: “Penetration, no matter how slight, of the vagina or anus with any body part or object, or oral penetration […]

In a speech yesterday, Washington Governor Chris Gregoire indicated her support for gay marriage. Governor Gregoire stated, “it’s time, it’s the right thing to do, and I will introduce a bill to do it. I say that as a wife, a mother, a student of the law, and above all as a Washingtonian with a […]

Yesterday President Obama announced that he will make recess appointments to fill four vacant administration positions. President Obama appointed Richard Cordray as director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Cordray currently serves as Chief of Enforcement at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and previously was the Attorney General of Ohio and Ohio’s state Treasurer. Jay […]

India’s lower house of Parliament voted against the Women’s Reservation Bill, which would have allocated one-third of Parliamentary seats for women. The bill would thus require that male members cede approximately 180 seats to women. The bill passed the upper house of India’s Parliament in March 2010 with a nearly unanimous vote of 191 to […]

Mitt Romney, former governor of Massachusetts, defeated former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum by eight votes in the Iowa caucus, which had low voter turnout. Representative Ron Paul finished third. Feminist Majority President Eleanor Smeal stated, “This shows the extreme and unrepresentative nature of the Iowa Republican caucus. Santorum is opposed not only to abortion but […]

As of January 1 , 2012, same sex couples can legally enter into same-sex civil unions in Delaware and Hawaii and attain some of the same benefits enjoyed by married couples, such as the right to visit a partner in the hospital and make decisions about the partner’s medical care and the right to joint […]

Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell has signed new regulations on first-trimester abortion clinics requiring architectural renovations to change clinics into hospitals and change government oversight. Under the regulations, state authorities can enter a clinic to inspect at any time without notice to examine patient medical records, gather a list of current patients, and interview patients on […]

On Sunday, January 1st, the American Family Planning clinic in Pensacola, Florida burnt nearly to the ground. Although no one was injured, the fire destroyed the majority of the building. The clinic is owned by Dr. Steven Brigham, who also owns clinics in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, and Maryland. Brigham was arrested on Wednesday, […]

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett (R) is expected to sign a bill that will require clinics that perform abortions meet the same regulations of surgical centers, which are far more stringent than the regulations on physician’s offices. Required changes could include widening hallways and elevator shafts, creating more sinks and bigger surgical rooms, and making alterations […]