We'd heard about Nebraska Sen. Ben Nelson's plan to propose an amendment "as identical to Stupak as it can be," and today Nelson did just that. The measure, which would deny millions of women access to abortion services, was introduced this afternoon, and debate was underway even before it was formally proposed.
Senator Claire McCaskill (MO) spoke out against the bill's House counterpart in an appearance on CBS this morning, saying it "goes too far" and prohibits the use of "private money in a private market for any kind of health services related to abortions." McCaskill also outlined her belief that senators will reject Nelson's measure, a view Senator Debbie Stabenow (MI) also shared with supporters today.
On the Senate floor, Senator Barbara Boxer (CA) took the lead in voicing opposition to the amendment, passionately explaining the danger of potential new restrictions on women's rights.
Watch Boxer in action here:
Also speaking out against the amendment was freshman Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (NY), who worked to explain exactly what the proposed health care legislation would do -- and how the Nelson amendment would go beyond current legislation to restrict women's rights.
A vote on the amendment is expected to take place Tuesday.
At EMILY's List, we believe that electing women to office is critical for creating a more representative, progressive democracy. And with women at the table, our issues are a top priority.
This week, that couldn't have been clearer.
EMILY's List women of the Senate took center stage this week, speaking about the essential ways in which health care reform will benefit the country's women. From the House floor to Larry King Live, these women senators spoke out for women across America, describing the obstacles to care many women face.
Here's a great video, highlighting moments from their speeches on the Senate floor.
Here are just a few quotes you won't want to miss, including Sen. Amy Klobuchar's personal health care story after the birth of her daughter.
“I was up all night in labor, up all day trying to figure out what was wrong with her, and they literally kicked me out of the hospital... My husband wheeled me out in a wheelchair because at that point in our country’s history, they had a rule. It was called drive-by births, that when a mom gave birth she had to get kicked out of the hospital in 24 hours.”
--Sen. Amy Klobuchar (MN)
“[I]n all but 12 states, insurance companies are allowed to charge women more than they charge men for coverage. The great irony here is that mothers, the people who care for us when we’re sick, are penalized under our current system.”
--Sen. Kay Hagan (NC)
“For the women in these plans, or who are attempting to get insurance, no amount of money can buy maternity care that they need.”
--Sen. Debbie Stabenow (MI)
“Only 14 states in America require insurance companies to cover maternity care. Imagine, in a country that puts family values first, only 14 states."
--Sen. Barbara Boxer (CA)
"It's shocking to think that, in today's America, over half of this country could be discriminated against."
--Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (NY)
“It’s time to end the insurance discrimination that women face.”
--Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (NH)
I never knew the GOP could be so downright poetic. RNC Chair Michael Steele had one heck of a quote today, letting voters know that Republicans have turned over a new leaf, sprouted new roots, blossomed all over again. (I really could go on forever.)
Speaking of two Republican gubernatorial candidates -- Virginia nominee Bob McDonnell and New Jersey nominee Chris Christie, Steele had the following to say:
"We have unfolded, if you will, the flower of new leadership in the Republican Party."
Maybe the GOP and I don't define "new" in the same way, but call it what you will, this GOP rose was always a GOP rose.
And, for two EMILY's List candidates, these particular roses aren't smelling so sweet. Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow joined Cong. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-20) on a conference call yesterday to explain exactly how out of touch with women's issues some GOP candidates are, including McDonnell and Christie.
"I think we have an outdated view, an extreme view, a lack of understanding of what women's lives are like today and the role of women in America," Stabenow said.
Regarding Christie's position not to require insurers to cover certain care, Wasserman Schultz said his plan would "take women back to the Dark Ages of drive-through deliveries." She continued, "He's not just wrong for women, he's frighteningly wrong."
Also on the call was Virginia state Rep. Margaret Vanderhye, who centered in on the controversy surrounding McDonnell's graduate school thesis. Calling the piece McDonnell's "blueprint" for Virginia, she said he was "disenfranchising half of the population."
Not exactly the types of leaders (or flowers) we'd want.
Time and time again, Stabenow has served as the perfect example of why we need more women in office. Just last week, Stabenow emphasized the importance of maternity care during an exchange with GOP Sen. Jon Kyl (AZ). And today, Stabenow once again served as the voice of reason during a Senate Finance Committee hearing.
When Sen. Orrin Hatch (UT) offered an amendment limiting women's reproductive health care, Stabenow wasted no time defending women's rights.
The Hatch amendment would have allowed women to buy abortion coverage through unsubsidized supplemental plans, called riders. Hatch said it would simply codify the so-called Hyde amendment, which already prohibits federal funding of abortions, but must be renewed each year through the appropriations process.
“That’s not asking a lot,” Hatch said. “It’s not trying to change the law.”
And here's Stabenow's response:
"This amendment does not maintain the status quo. In fact, with all respect to my friend, as a woman, I find it offensive that in here – any woman, any family, purchasing through the insurance exchange, if they did not receive any tax credit, would be prohibited from having the full range of having health care options that they may need, covered. "
Calling the amendment "an unprecedented restriction on people who paid for their own health care insurance," Stabenow helped block passage of the amendment, which failed 10-13.
Don't miss the message EMILY's List President Ellen Malcolm just sent out to members (posted below!).
I have to say -- after all the town hall disruptions and ridiculous partisan politics, this really takes the cake -- especially since this latest offense took place in the halls of Congress. Good thing Sen. Debbie Stabenow (MI) was there to speak up for women's medical care!
If you need any more evidence of why we need women in office, here it is.
During debate of health care amendments involving maternity care, GOP Sen. Jon Kyl (AZ) made an unbelievable statement: "I don't need maternity care. And, so requiring that to be on my insurance policy is something that I don't need and will make the policy more expensive."
Without missing a beat, EMILY's List alum Sen. Debbie Stabenow (MI) fired back: "...I think your mom probably did."
Could there be any better example of the importance of electing women to office?
Kyl's comment was outrageous, and his lack of empathy - for his female constituents and women and families everywhere - was shocking. Not much of a "family-friendly" Republican, if you ask me.
Fortunately for us, having women like Debbie Stabenow in the Senate doesn't just mean that our voices are heard - it also means action is taking place. Led by Sen. Stabenow, Democrats defeated Kyl's amendment during today's meeting, ensuring that his proposal won't negatively impact women's lives.
Thanks for standing up for women everywhere and for reminding Congress that protecting the American people - not insurance companies - must be their top priority.
We already knew that the confirmation of Judge Sonia Sotomayor would be historic, but I love hearing it articulated by the women we helped elect to the Senate.
Yesterday morning, a number of EMILY's List elected women took to the Senate floor to praise Sotomayor's experience, education, and trail-blazing path to her Supreme Court nomination. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (NY), Amy Klobuchar (MN), Debbie Stabenow (MI), Jeanne Shaheen (NH), and Patty Murray (WA) all spoke in support of Sotomayor.
Klobuchar, who spoke previously about the importance of adding a woman's voice on the court (and blogged about it here!), spoke today about Sotomayor's qualifications: “She knows the law, she knows the Constitution...But she knows America too.”
Click here to watch a great video of Gillibrand on the Senate floor.
If you need any more evidence of why we need women in office, here it is.
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