Fighting Against the War on Women, Amendment by Amendment

May might traditionally be a month filled with sunshine, graduations, and proms, but it was a bleak month for women’s freedom and privacy. Anti-choice politicians in Washington, D.C. pressed forward with their War on Women–with great zeal.

Fortunately, Americans are realizing just how extreme this agenda is. On May 24, voters in a conservative congressional district in upstate New York elected pro-choice candidate Kathy Hochul (D) to the U.S. House of Representatives.

Rep. Hochul represents the district’s mainstream views, and she knows that voters want Washington to focus on creating jobs and protecting Medicare, not attacking a woman’s right to choose. NARAL Pro-Choice America PAC was proud to endorse Rep. Hochul; her election marks a pro-choice pick-up.

As we celebrate this key victory, it’s important to acknowledge that we still have quite a climb before we can stop the War on Women in the House.

Let’s take just one 24-hour period.

On May 25, the House Committee on Rules refused even to vote on an amendment that would end the discriminatory law that forces women in the military who become pregnant as a result of sexual assault to pay the bill if they choose abortion.

Servicewomen are denied the right to have their health benefits cover abortion care in these tragic circumstances simply because of anti-choice politics. This ban adds insult to injury, and goes beyond the restrictions of the Hyde amendment.

Pro-choice Reps. Susan Davis (D-Calif.), Rob Andrews (D-N.J.), Diana DeGette (D-Colo.), Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.), Loretta Sanchez (D-Calif.), and Louise Slaughter (D-N.Y.) did all that they could to lift this unfair ban. Yet, the anti-choice House leadership refused even to let this amendment go to the full House for a vote! How can we not agree on supporting the women who serve this country?

At the same time, 234 members of the House voted to dictate what doctors can and can't learn about providing abortion care.

Offered by anti-choice Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.), the amendment would bar qualified teaching health centers from using federal funds for comprehensive medical training that includes instruction in the provision of abortion care.

This amendment makes crystal clear the disregard anti-choice politicians have for women’s health. Women should have access to the best care possible in any and all circumstances. This can only happen if doctors receive the most comprehensive training available to deal with any medical situation that may arise.

These outrageous attacks clearly show us that elections matter. Anti-choice politicians can push their extreme agenda because there are 245 anti-choice representatives. By contrast, there are only 155 pro-choice members of the House of Representatives.

Kathy Hochul’s victory shows us our challenge and our opportunity: we need 63 more such wins.

That’s the number of additional pro-choice seats we need to have a pro-choice majority in the House. Sixty-three seats will mean the difference between a House that passes anti-choice legislation, and one that passes pro-choice legislation.

Even if this frustrates you, please know that we have champions who aren't letting lawmakers like Foxx get the last word. Keep up the pressure by calling on your senators and representatives to end the policies that discriminate against women in the military.

Photo credit: expertinfantry