Supreme Court Watch
The Washington Post provides a profile of potential Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland.
Health Care and Abortion Coverage
NPR reports on how the new health care reform law will improve insurance coverage for women.
Stateside
Governor Gregoire will sign the multimillion-dollar revenue package today that was passed by state lawmakers last week.
Ms. Magazine reports on the anti-choice bill that is awaiting the Governor's signature in Tennessee, and would make the state the first to explicitly ban coverage of abortion care under the new health care reform insurance exchanges.
RH Reality Check provides a roundup of anti-choice bills in Louisiana and Virginia.
Other News of Note
In recognition of April as National STD Awareness month, RH Reality Check provides a series about the importance of STD prevention and treatment in the United States.
RH Reality Check features another reaction to the recent Newsweek article about the involvement of young people in the pro-choice movement.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Random Choice News
Supreme Court Watch:
MSNBC highlights the latest news surrounding President Obama's commitment to nominating a Supreme Court justice that will uphold women's rights and privacy.
The New York Times provides a profile of Diane Wood, a potential pro-choice nominee for the Supreme Court.
Health Care and Abortion Coverage:
RH Reality Check features an article that dispells the myths and misperceptions surrounding Emergency Contraception (EC).
2010 Elections:
Politico reports on the anti-choice organizations that are planning a multimillion-dollar elections campaign to oust anti-choice Democrats who voted for health care reform.
The Olympian discusses the legal hurdles that I-1077 will face in proposing a high earners income tax on the November ballot.
Stateside:
Georgia lawmakers have advanced an anti-choice bill that is designed to challenge Roe v. Wade by prohibiting physicians from providing abortions to women who have been "coerced" into the procedure, and by banning abortions based on the race or gender of the fetus.
Pro-choice advocates in New York are trying to update the state's law legalizing abortion by moving it from the penal code into the public health law where a woman's rights and privacy can be better protected.
The Virginia General Assembly approved Governor Robert McDonnell's proposal to restrict all state funding for abortion, except in the case of rape or incest, or when the life of the woman is in danger. This law will have broader implications in restricting all women's access to abortion care in Virginia.
MSNBC highlights the latest news surrounding President Obama's commitment to nominating a Supreme Court justice that will uphold women's rights and privacy.
The New York Times provides a profile of Diane Wood, a potential pro-choice nominee for the Supreme Court.
Health Care and Abortion Coverage:
RH Reality Check features an article that dispells the myths and misperceptions surrounding Emergency Contraception (EC).
2010 Elections:
Politico reports on the anti-choice organizations that are planning a multimillion-dollar elections campaign to oust anti-choice Democrats who voted for health care reform.
The Olympian discusses the legal hurdles that I-1077 will face in proposing a high earners income tax on the November ballot.
Stateside:
Georgia lawmakers have advanced an anti-choice bill that is designed to challenge Roe v. Wade by prohibiting physicians from providing abortions to women who have been "coerced" into the procedure, and by banning abortions based on the race or gender of the fetus.
Pro-choice advocates in New York are trying to update the state's law legalizing abortion by moving it from the penal code into the public health law where a woman's rights and privacy can be better protected.
The Virginia General Assembly approved Governor Robert McDonnell's proposal to restrict all state funding for abortion, except in the case of rape or incest, or when the life of the woman is in danger. This law will have broader implications in restricting all women's access to abortion care in Virginia.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Gov. Pawlenty declares April as Abortion Recovery Month
Gov. Pawlenty declared April as Abortion Recovery Month. Linnea House of NARAL Pro-Choice Minnesota responded: “I was hoping the governor’s proclamation was an April Fool’s Day joke last week, but unfortunately, it is very real." She further stated: "Clearly, this proclamation is truly nothing more than Gov. Pawlenty pandering to the anti-choice organizations in the state." For more on NARAL Pro-Choice Minnesota's statement and the full text of the proclamation, follow the link.
http://minnesotaindependent.com/57436/critics-call-pawlentys-abortion-recovery-month-pure-politics
http://minnesotaindependent.com/57436/critics-call-pawlentys-abortion-recovery-month-pure-politics
Friday, April 9, 2010
Call on President Obama to Nominate a Pro-Choice Justice
Justice John Paul Stevens’ retirement means that we will lose one of the strongest supporters of the right to choose from the Supreme Court.
Our anti-choice opponents are already using this vacancy to rally their base. The unfounded insults and personal attacks are only going to get worse.
We need to fight back against the anti-choice rallying cry, beginning with letting President Obama know what we expect. Join me in calling on President Obama to say no to the right wing.
Please take this time to call on President Obama to nominate a Pro-Choice Justice.
Our anti-choice opponents are already using this vacancy to rally their base. The unfounded insults and personal attacks are only going to get worse.
We need to fight back against the anti-choice rallying cry, beginning with letting President Obama know what we expect. Join me in calling on President Obama to say no to the right wing.
Please take this time to call on President Obama to nominate a Pro-Choice Justice.
We stopped Stupak!
Rep. Bart Stupak has announced he will not run for re-election opening the door for a Pro-Choice candidate to replace him. NARAL Pro-Choice America PAC endorsed Connie Saltonstall, who is running to replace Rep. Stupak in Michigan's 1st Congressional District, Saltonstall got in the race specifically because of her dedication to standing up for women’s reproductive rights!
Since this race is obviously not in Minnesota we won't be directly involved in getting Saltonstall elected but for more info and what you can do to help, please read this statement from NARAL Pro-Choice America:
Nation's Two Leading Pro-Choice Groups Back Candidate Challenging Rep. Bart Stupak
NARAL Pro-Choice America PAC, Planned Parenthood Action Fund Endorse Primary Challenger Connie Saltonstall in Michigan's 1st Congressional District
Washington, D.C. — NARAL Pro-Choice America PAC and the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, the advocacy and political arm of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, today announced their respective endorsements of Connie Saltonstall, who is challenging anti-choice incumbent Rep. Bart Stupak in the Democratic primary in Michigan's 1st Congressional District.
"We are proud to put the support of our PAC behind Connie Saltonstall in this pivotal primary race," said Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America. "The voters in Michigan's 1st District are looking for an alternative to Bart Stupak. For years, he has attacked women's freedom and privacy and, for the last several months, seized the national spotlight as he held health care reform hostage to his anti-choice political views. The clock is ticking on Mr. Stupak's '15 minutes of fame.' We will work to put an end to Mr. Stupak's divisiveness and replace him with a leader like Connie, who represents Michigan's mainstream values."
"The Planned Parenthood Action Fund is proud to endorse Connie Saltonstall for U.S. representative," said Cecile Richards, president of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund. "Connie is a passionate advocate for women and their reproductive rights and has a strong record of promoting and protecting women's health."
Saltonstall, who is a mediator and board member of North Community Mediation, serves as board president of Hospice of Northwest Michigan and recently completed a three-year term on the Charlevoix County Commission on Aging. In 2008, Saltonstall ran for Michigan state representative in the 105th District. In 2006, she served as Charlevoix County commissioner.
As a U.S. representative, Saltonstall will work to improve access to quality health care for women, support and protect a woman's right to choose, strengthen comprehensive sex education to keep our young people healthy and safe, and invest in prevention programs, including family planning services and breast cancer screenings.
"Clearly it's time for change in Michigan's 1st Congressional District," said Sarah Scranton, executive director of PP Advocates of MI. "Michigan voters deserve a representative like Connie Saltonstall who will put their commonsense health care needs ahead of ideology and politics."
"Connie Saltonstall is a champion for women, women's health and choice who will be an active proponent for the women and families of Michigan. She will work to ensure that women's health is a priority on the congressional agenda," said Richards.
Saltonstall is running against Rep. Bart Stupak, an anti-choice representative, who drew the ire of women over his attempts to restrict individuals from using their own money to buy health insurance that included abortion coverage. During the health care debate, Rep. Stupak continuously tried to block health care reform unless the Stupak abortion coverage ban was adopted. Fortunately, Rep. Stupak failed in his attempt to insert the Stupak abortion coverage ban in the final health care reform bill.
The primary election will be held on August 3.
For more information about the race, visit www.ProChoiceAmerica.org/Saltonstall.
Since this race is obviously not in Minnesota we won't be directly involved in getting Saltonstall elected but for more info and what you can do to help, please read this statement from NARAL Pro-Choice America:
Nation's Two Leading Pro-Choice Groups Back Candidate Challenging Rep. Bart Stupak
NARAL Pro-Choice America PAC, Planned Parenthood Action Fund Endorse Primary Challenger Connie Saltonstall in Michigan's 1st Congressional District
Washington, D.C. — NARAL Pro-Choice America PAC and the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, the advocacy and political arm of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, today announced their respective endorsements of Connie Saltonstall, who is challenging anti-choice incumbent Rep. Bart Stupak in the Democratic primary in Michigan's 1st Congressional District.
"We are proud to put the support of our PAC behind Connie Saltonstall in this pivotal primary race," said Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America. "The voters in Michigan's 1st District are looking for an alternative to Bart Stupak. For years, he has attacked women's freedom and privacy and, for the last several months, seized the national spotlight as he held health care reform hostage to his anti-choice political views. The clock is ticking on Mr. Stupak's '15 minutes of fame.' We will work to put an end to Mr. Stupak's divisiveness and replace him with a leader like Connie, who represents Michigan's mainstream values."
"The Planned Parenthood Action Fund is proud to endorse Connie Saltonstall for U.S. representative," said Cecile Richards, president of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund. "Connie is a passionate advocate for women and their reproductive rights and has a strong record of promoting and protecting women's health."
Saltonstall, who is a mediator and board member of North Community Mediation, serves as board president of Hospice of Northwest Michigan and recently completed a three-year term on the Charlevoix County Commission on Aging. In 2008, Saltonstall ran for Michigan state representative in the 105th District. In 2006, she served as Charlevoix County commissioner.
As a U.S. representative, Saltonstall will work to improve access to quality health care for women, support and protect a woman's right to choose, strengthen comprehensive sex education to keep our young people healthy and safe, and invest in prevention programs, including family planning services and breast cancer screenings.
"Clearly it's time for change in Michigan's 1st Congressional District," said Sarah Scranton, executive director of PP Advocates of MI. "Michigan voters deserve a representative like Connie Saltonstall who will put their commonsense health care needs ahead of ideology and politics."
"Connie Saltonstall is a champion for women, women's health and choice who will be an active proponent for the women and families of Michigan. She will work to ensure that women's health is a priority on the congressional agenda," said Richards.
Saltonstall is running against Rep. Bart Stupak, an anti-choice representative, who drew the ire of women over his attempts to restrict individuals from using their own money to buy health insurance that included abortion coverage. During the health care debate, Rep. Stupak continuously tried to block health care reform unless the Stupak abortion coverage ban was adopted. Fortunately, Rep. Stupak failed in his attempt to insert the Stupak abortion coverage ban in the final health care reform bill.
The primary election will be held on August 3.
For more information about the race, visit www.ProChoiceAmerica.org/Saltonstall.
Justice Stevens to retire.
Justice Stevens is retiring! We need to be prepared to help Choose Justice when President Obama names a replacement! The anti’s won’t make this easy and we have to be prepared to do what it takes to help seat a Pro-Choice Justice! Stevens eventual replacement will be the Justice that keeps the balance of the Supreme Court leaning towards the right to choose and we cannot let that scale tip by one single degree!
Sign up to volunteer today to help us Choose Justice!
For more on Justice Stevens retirement please read the following statement from NARAL Pro-Choice America’s President Nancy Keenan:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 9, 2010
Statement of Nancy Keenan, President of NARAL Pro-Choice America, on Justice John Paul Stevens’ Retirement from the Supreme Court
"NARAL Pro-Choice America salutes Justice John Paul Stevens' commitment to public service. Stevens is among the strongest supporters of the right to choose currently serving on the Supreme Court, and his retirement serves as yet another stark reminder of the important role the Court plays in our everyday lives.
"Stevens consistently voted to uphold American liberties, as set forth in the landmark Roe v. Wade decision. His record reflects a respect for individual freedom and opposition to political interference in our most personal, private decisions. Stevens' retirement now gives President Obama the opportunity to nominate a fair-minded individual who, like him and the majority of Americans, supports the constitutional right to privacy as reflected in Roe.
"The nine-member Court includes two Justices, Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas, who have voted to overturn Roe, and two more members, Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito, whom President Bush appointed because he wanted Justices who reflected the Scalia-Thomas mold.
"Given the current composition of the Court, we will assess the eventual nominee's complete record on privacy and other relevant issues in the same way we did during Justice Sonia Sotomayor's confirmation process. Unlike Chief Justice Roberts or Justice Alito, Justice Sotomayor articulated several times throughout her hearing that the constitutional right to privacy includes the right to choose, and thus we supported her nomination for a seat on the nation's highest court.
"One thing is certain: opponents of women's freedom and privacy will use this vacancy on the Court as an opportunity to further their attacks on nominees who have taken pro-choice positions. America's pro-choice majority will fight back.
"This vacancy could make choice an even more prominent issue in the 2010 mid-term congressional elections. Americans will be watching to make sure senators understand the need for a Justice who respects a woman's ability to make the personal, private decisions that are best for her and her family."
Additional Resources:
More information about Justice Stevens' decisions on choice-related cases.
Information about the Supreme Court's decisions on key cases related to reproductive rights.
Sign up to volunteer today to help us Choose Justice!
For more on Justice Stevens retirement please read the following statement from NARAL Pro-Choice America’s President Nancy Keenan:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 9, 2010
Statement of Nancy Keenan, President of NARAL Pro-Choice America, on Justice John Paul Stevens’ Retirement from the Supreme Court
"NARAL Pro-Choice America salutes Justice John Paul Stevens' commitment to public service. Stevens is among the strongest supporters of the right to choose currently serving on the Supreme Court, and his retirement serves as yet another stark reminder of the important role the Court plays in our everyday lives.
"Stevens consistently voted to uphold American liberties, as set forth in the landmark Roe v. Wade decision. His record reflects a respect for individual freedom and opposition to political interference in our most personal, private decisions. Stevens' retirement now gives President Obama the opportunity to nominate a fair-minded individual who, like him and the majority of Americans, supports the constitutional right to privacy as reflected in Roe.
"The nine-member Court includes two Justices, Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas, who have voted to overturn Roe, and two more members, Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito, whom President Bush appointed because he wanted Justices who reflected the Scalia-Thomas mold.
"Given the current composition of the Court, we will assess the eventual nominee's complete record on privacy and other relevant issues in the same way we did during Justice Sonia Sotomayor's confirmation process. Unlike Chief Justice Roberts or Justice Alito, Justice Sotomayor articulated several times throughout her hearing that the constitutional right to privacy includes the right to choose, and thus we supported her nomination for a seat on the nation's highest court.
"One thing is certain: opponents of women's freedom and privacy will use this vacancy on the Court as an opportunity to further their attacks on nominees who have taken pro-choice positions. America's pro-choice majority will fight back.
"This vacancy could make choice an even more prominent issue in the 2010 mid-term congressional elections. Americans will be watching to make sure senators understand the need for a Justice who respects a woman's ability to make the personal, private decisions that are best for her and her family."
Additional Resources:
More information about Justice Stevens' decisions on choice-related cases.
Information about the Supreme Court's decisions on key cases related to reproductive rights.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
An abortion ban by any other name. . . .
Anti-choice strategists are increasingly using "personhood" measures to try to ban abortion in states like Missouri. So add this one to your vocab: "personhood" measure = abortion ban. Please share this post with your friends to spread the word about this anti-choice tactic.
For greater details check out NARAL Pro-Choice America's Blog For Choice:
http://www.blogforchoice.com/archives/2010/04/personhood-move.html
For greater details check out NARAL Pro-Choice America's Blog For Choice:
http://www.blogforchoice.com/archives/2010/04/personhood-move.html
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