When the 114th Congress came together for their first session, two legislators in the House of Representatives re-introduced a nationwide 20-week abortion ban.
Incremental Gains for Women in Congress
At this rate, it would take more than another 2 generations of women to get to parity in Congressional representation. “Clearly, this is not acceptable,” said Eleanor Smeal, President of the Feminist Majority Foundation.
Senate Maneuvering Allows for Confirmation of Obama Nominees
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid was able to push for confirmation of 24 Obama nominees over the weekend.
Women Legislators Lead Fight Against Controversial Spending Bill
In both chambers of Congress, women are leading the fight against the legislation, which contains controversial provisions on abortion, abstinence-only education, financial reform, and other issues impacting millions of Americans.
New Legislation Would Improve Access to Emergency Contraception for Survivors of Sexual Assault
The Emergency Contraception Access and Education Act of 2014 would require hospitals that receive federal funding – including Catholic hospitals – to tell sexual assault survivors that emergency contraception is available to them and to provide it regardless of their ability to pay.
CVS Will Refund 11,000 Customers Illegally Charged for Birth Control
Congresswoman Jackie Speier alerted the chain that they were acting in violation of the Affordable Care Act earlier this month. Now, CVS has promised to issue refunds by October 1.
Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Says Controversial Nominee Lacks Support
Prominent Democrats voiced overwhelming opposition to the appointment of Boggs, who supported Confederate flag insignia as a Georgia state legislator, wanted to ban same-sex marriage, and supported the publication of abortion doctors’ names on the Internet.
Legislation to Support Testing of Backlogged Rape Kits Goes to President’s Desk
The Senate on Thursday voted to renew the Debbie Smith Act, aimed at cutting the backlog of untested rape kits. The bill, already passed in the House, now heads to President Obama to become law.
Senate Republicans Blocked the Paycheck Fairness Act Again
The Senate Republicans blocked the Paycheck Fairness Act yesterday, marking the second time this year and the fourth time since 2012 legislators voted along party lines against the equal pay legislation.
Senate Holds Hearing on Police Militarization One Month After Michael Brown’s Death
Senator Claire McCaskill led an oversight hearing Tuesday in the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee highlighting growing concerns about the militarization of state and local law enforcement agencies.
UPDATE: Paycheck Fairness Act Advances in the Senate
The Senate voted 73-25 to allow the bill to move forward to a debate.
Paycheck Fairness Act Expected to Come to a Vote Today
This marks the second time this year that the Senate will take up the equal pay legislation.
Floridians Rally To Support Not My Boss’s Business Act
Women’s health advocates came together in Central Florida last week to rally against the US Supreme Court’s June ruling in Hobby Lobby v. Burwell and push for federal legislation to overturn the decision.
Legislation Introduced to Establish Fair Work Scheduling Practices
Representatives George Miller and Rosa DeLauro introduced a bill last week that aims to protect hourly workers from scheduling abuses and allow for greater flexibility and certainty around their work schedules.
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Passes Disabilities Treaty
The treaty, among other things, reaffirms the need for fundamental human rights for all people with disabilities, and highlights the need to recognize and respond to discrimination against those with disabilities.
Democrats to Introduce Bill Reversing Hobby Lobby Decision
Democrats in the House and Senate are expected to introduce companion bills today to reverse the US Supreme Court’s decision in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby by prohibiting for-profit employers from refusing to provide health insurance coverage for contraceptives.
Senate Set to Approve Rape Kit Backlog Funds
The Senate today is expected to approve $41 million in funding to process hundreds of thousands of untested rape kits across the country.
Senator Lindsey Graham Pushes Federal 20-Week Abortion Ban
The bill has no Democratic sponsors, but 41 Republican Senators have already pledged support of the bill.
Bill Extending Abortion Coverage to Peace Corps Volunteers Re-Introduced
Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Representative Nita Lowey (D-NY-17) re-introduced the Peace Corps Equity Act in the Senate and House last week.
New Bill Aims To Expand Health Care Access for Immigrant Women and Families
The Health Equity and Access Under the Law (HEAL) for Immigrant Women and Families Act of 2014, introduced last week, would significantly improve the ability of immigrant women and families to access affordable health care.
