Yesterday the Virginia Senate passed the “Virginia Values Act”, which adds sexual orientation and gender identity to the commonwealth’s anti-discrimination law, with a 30-9 vote. The Bill (SB 868 in Senate and HB 1663 in the House), makes sexual orientation and gender identity protected classes in regards to discrimination for things such as housing, employment, […]
New Maryland Bill Proposes Parental Consent Requirement for IUDs
On January 8th the Maryland House of Delegates introduced a bill, House Bill 53, that would require minors to have written parental consent to get insertive contraceptive devices, such as the intrauterine device (IUD) and implantable rod. This bill does not require parental consent for minors to receive other forms of birth control, such as […]
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Ohio Governor Releases Gun Reform Policies in Response to Mass Shootings
This Tuesday, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine released a series of policy proposals aimed at reducing gun violence statewide. He addressed the issue from both major perspectives, outlining ideas to ensure better mental healthcare services and to implement gun control reform legislation. The legislative reforms are broad in scope and include many policies that the federal […]
Oklahoma Judge Upholds Ban on Second-Trimester Abortions
The Center for Reproductive Rights has vowed to take an Oklahoma abortion-ban to the state Supreme Court after an Oklahoma district judge upheld a law banning second-trimester abortion procedures last Friday. The Oklahoma Supreme Court has previously rejected multiple anti-abortion bills similar to this ban. The Center for Reproductive Rights challenged the Oklahoma law after […]
Alabama Seeks to Outlaw Abortions and Criminalize Doctors
This week, the Alabama state house passed the most restrictive anti-abortion bill in the nation that bans abortion, even in cases of rape and/or incest, unless the woman’s life is in danger, and makes performing an abortion a felony. Doctors that do perform abortions can be sentenced to up to 99 years in prison. It […]
Alabama Introduces Bill to Outlaw Almost All Abortions in the State
Alabama legislators introduced the most severe anti-abortion bill in the country on Tuesday that would ban abortions upon knowledge of pregnancy and make performing an abortion at any stage of a pregnancy a felony. The bill, HB314, would ban all abortions as soon as a woman is “known to be pregnant,” only giving exception if […]
House to Vote This Week on ‘Defund Planned Parenthood Act’
Given that Planned Parenthood provides quality, affordable reproductive health care to 2.7 million women, men and teens at approximately 700 health centers nationwide, the stakes could not be higher.
Alaska Court Protects Abortion Access for Low-Income Women
In a win for low-income women in Alaska, a state court judge strikes down a law limiting Medicaid abortion coverage.
Ohio Bill Would Ban Abortion Due to Down Syndrome Diagnosis
In the latest attempt to limit access to abortion in Ohio, legislatures are proposing a bill that would prohibit abortion when a fetus tests positive for Down Syndrome.
Obama Takes Step for Paid Sick Leave
The Obama Administration has drafted an executive order to ensure paid sick leave and parental leave for all federally contracted employees and their subcontractors.
Oklahoma Court Blocks Medication Abortion Restriction
An Oklahoma Judge has once again blocked restrictions on medication abortions.
Senate Democrats Protect Funding for Planned Parenthood
Senate Bill 1881 would have slashed $528 million in federal funds from Planned Parenthood.
The Senate is Voting on Planned Parenthood Funding Today
Sponsored by Republican Senator Joni Ernst, Senate Bill 1881 would prohibit all Federal funding of Planned Parenthood or “any of its affiliates, subsidiaries, successors, or clinics.”
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell Blocked Efforts to Defund Planned Parenthood
A vote to eliminate all federal funding to the national organization fell short of the votes necessary for such an action.
The EACH Woman Act Expanding Abortion Access Was Just Introduced in Congress
Congresswomen Barbara Lee, Jan Schakowsky, and Diana DeGette today introduced the Equal Access to Abortion Coverage in Health Insurance Act, which would lift restrictions on health insurance coverage for abortion.
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.
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 […]
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Senate Votes to Advance “Fast Tracking” of Dangerous Trade Agreement
The US Senate voted yesterday to advance “fast track” trade legislation on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement.
