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RELEASE: Ahead of 40th Anniversary of Hyde Amendment, CAP Calls for Policymakers to Repeal Hyde and Reject Similar Restrictions on Abortion


Contact: Chelsea Kiene
Phone: 202.478.5328
Email: ckiene@americanprogress.org

Washington, D.C. — Forty years ago this Friday, lawmakers passed the Hyde Amendment, which prohibits Medicaid from covering abortion care, except in limited cases of rape, incest, or if the mother’s life is in danger. Ahead of the 40th anniversary of the Hyde Amendment’s passage, the Center for American Progress released an issue brief and infographic illustrating how the Hyde Amendment has perpetuated inequality in abortion access by limiting access to safe, legal abortion for millions of low-income women, young women, and women of color. CAP also released a column examining the broad support within faith communities for repealing the Hyde Amendment.

For 40 years, the Hyde Amendment has been approved annually in the federal appropriations process. By restricting the Medicaid program from covering this vital service, safe, legal abortion is often unaffordable and therefore inaccessible for millions of women. To make matters worse, the Hyde Amendment has become the basis for additional bans on federal funding that impact millions more women and their families.

“The U.S. Supreme Court has long affirmed a woman’s constitutional right to abortions. Yet under prohibitive restrictions like the Hyde Amendment, millions of women are effectively denied the right to access a safe and legal abortion,” said Heidi Williamson, Senior Policy Analyst for the Women’s Health and Rights Program at CAP. “The effects of Hyde and similar restrictions are most acutely felt among the nation’s most vulnerable women, making this not only a reproductive justice issue but also an economic justice issue.”

In order to ensure that all women have access to the reproductive health care they deserve—including access to affordable, safe, and timely abortion—CAP calls for the repeal of the Hyde Amendment. Additionally, policymakers should pass the Equal Access to Abortion Coverage in Health Insurance, or EACH Woman, Act, which aims to ensure abortion coverage through all government-sponsored health insurance plans, including Medicaid; pass the Women’s Health Protection Act, which would prohibit federal, state, or local government from imposing medically unnecessary limitations on abortion care; and repeal restrictions on federal funding of abortion through U.S. foreign aid.

“It’s time for politicians to stop interfering with women’s health care decisions,” said Jamila K. Taylor, Senior Fellow at CAP. “Restrictions on access to abortion do nothing but drive women into desperate situations by pushing safe medical care out of reach. In turn, women suffer, families suffer, and broader society suffers.”

The following CAP experts are available to comment on the impact of the Hyde Amendment and how policymakers can ensure that safe, legal abortion is affordable and accessible for all women:

Read the issue brief: The Hyde Amendment Has Perpetuated Inequality in Abortion Access for 40 Years by Heidi Williamson and Jamila Taylor

Read the infographic: The Real Cost of Abortion by Heidi Williamson

Read the column: Hearing Faith Voices Raised Against Hyde by Tracy Wolf

Related resources:

For more information or to speak to an expert, contact Chelsea Kiene at ckiene@americanprogress.org or 202.478.5328.

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Washington State and the Reproductive Parity Act


Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest
                   I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like this.
As you know, the State House of Representatives passed the Reproductive Parity Act (RPA)  – and the Senate Majority Caucus has refused to even hold a hearing.
We believe there are enough votes for the RPA to pass in the Senate, but the Majority leadership won’t let it move forward. In response, the pro-women’s health Senators are taking matters into their own hands: They’re holding a special legislative meeting today to consider the RPA. If you can’t be there in person we still have a great way to help.
Click to send a message to your State Senator that the Reproductive Parity Act must come up for a vote!
This meeting will look and sound a lot like a regular hearing, and it’s an important step in the process. But it’s not the last step! After today, the Senate will have the information they need and should give it the up-or-down vote it deserves. The RPA should be considered and voted on – and then it should be signed into law.
Help us move the RPA forward by passing along a quick message to your State Senator!
Thank you so much for your activism and support!
Sincerely,
Courtney Normand Washington Public Affairs Manager Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest
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Liberty and Reproductive Justice for All!
 

This Fourth of July, we hold this truth to be self-evident:everyone should have the reproductive freedom to decide if and when to start a family.

But some politicians have limited that freedom by passing restrictions on critical reproductive health care like abortion and birth control, which disproportionately impact low-income women and women of color. Luckily, there’s a bill before Congress — the EACH Woman Act — that could help turn the tide.

TAKE ACTION

Access to reproductive health care, including abortion and birth control, is central to economic security. Yet for almost 40 years, women in the United States have suffered under a cruel federal law that takes abortion coverage away from women who are struggling to make ends meet.

That’s why we need the EACH Woman Act, which would ensure that every woman — regardless of her income or how she is insured — is at liberty to determine whether and when to become a parent. Congress should be back in session soon after the holiday, and we want to make sure that the first thing your representative hears is how important protecting reproductive health care is to you.

Tell Your Representative: Support Reproductive Freedom by Passing the EACH Woman Act Now!

Thanks for standing up for liberty and reproductive justice for all.

And happy Fourth of July!

Sincerely,
Fatima Goss Graves
Senior Vice President for Program
National Women’s Law Center
Black History, ~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

the senate Pro ***** November CONGRESS 21 ***** forma the house


jointsessioninCongressSchedule for Pro Forma Sessions and Monday, November 28, 2016
The Senate stands adjourned to then convene for a pro forma session only, with no business conducted on the following dates and times:   Friday, November 18th at 9:30am Tuesday, November 22nd at 11:00am Friday, November 25th at 11:00am   When the Senate adjourns on Friday, November 25, it will stand adjourned until 3:00pm …

Wrap Up for Thursday, November 17, 2016

Nov 17, ’16 6:07 PM

Roll Call Votes Motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.3110; not invoked: 51-47.   Legislative Business Concurred with S.2754: to designate the Federal Building and United States Courthouse located at 300 Fannin Street in Shreveport, Louisiana, as the “Tom Stagg United States Court House”   Passed H.R.5873: to designate the Federal…

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The next meeting is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. on November 22, 2016.

November 18

3:00:04 P.M. The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
3:00:10 P.M. The Speaker designated the Honorable Luke Messer to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
3:00:57 P.M. Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Vincent DeRosa, St. Josephs Catholic Church, Washington D.C.
3:01:23 P.M. Pursuant to section 3(a) of H. Res. 921, the Journal of the last day’s proceedings was approved.
3:01:31 P.M. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair led the House in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
3:01:32 P.M. The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to the permission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II of the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Clerk notified the House that she had received the following message from the Secretary of the Senate on November 18, 2016 at 10:52 a.m.: That the Senate agreed to the House amendments to the text and title of the bill S. 2754, that the Senate passed S. 3395, S. 434, H.R. 5873, H.R. 4902, and H.R. 3471 amended.
3:03:46 P.M. The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn pursuant to section 3(b) of H. Res. 921. The next meeting is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. on November 22, 2016.

November 17

9:00:44 A.M. The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
9:00:51 A.M. Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
9:02:16 A.M. The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
9:02:19 A.M. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Bost to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
9:02:38 A.M. ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches, which by direction of the Chair would be limited to 5 per side of the aisle.
9:13:55 A.M. H.R. 5982 Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 921. H.R. 5982 — “To amend chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, to provide for en bloc consideration in resolutions of disapproval for “midnight rules”, and for other purposes.”
9:14:00 A.M. H.R. 5982 The rule provides for one hour of general debate on H.R. 5711 and H.R. 5982.
9:14:15 A.M. H.R. 5982 House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 921 and Rule XVIII.
9:14:16 A.M. H.R. 5982 The Speaker designated the Honorable Jeff Denham to act as Chairman of the Committee.
9:14:54 A.M. H.R. 5982 GENERAL DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 5982.
9:48:55 A.M. H.R. 5982 An amendment, offered by Mr. Conyers, numbered 1 printed in Part B of House Report 114-818 to exempt from the bill rules that are necessary to prevent an imminent threat to health or safety or other emergency.
9:48:58 A.M. H.R. 5982 DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 921, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Conyers Part B amendment No. 1.
9:54:24 A.M. H.R. 5982 POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Conyers amendment No. 1, the Chair put the question on the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Conyers demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on agreeing to the amendment until a time to be announced.
9:55:44 A.M. H.R. 5982 An amendment, offered by Mr. Johnson (GA), numbered 2 printed in Part B of House Report 114-818 to exempt from the bill rules that are proposed more than three years prior to submission to Congress.
9:56:05 A.M. H.R. 5982 DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 921, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Johnson (GA) Part B amendment No. 2.
10:03:12 A.M. H.R. 5982 On agreeing to the Johnson (GA) amendment; Failed by voice vote.
10:03:49 A.M. H.R. 5982 An amendment, offered by Ms. Jackson Lee, numbered 3 printed in Part B of House Report 114-818 to exempt any rule promulgated to prevent, respond to, or mitigate matters of national security.
10:03:50 A.M. H.R. 5982 DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 921, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Jackson Lee Part B amendment No. 3.
10:14:30 A.M. H.R. 5982 POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Jackson Lee amendment No. 3, the Chair put the question on the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Ms. Jackson Lee demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on agreeing to the amendment until a time to be announced.
10:14:31 A.M. H.R. 5982 UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST – Mr. Connolly asked unanimous consent to offer amendments numbered 4 and 5 printed in Part B of House Report 114-818 en bloc. Agreed to without objection.
10:15:11 A.M. H.R. 5982 Amendments en bloc offered by Mr. Connolly, consisting of amendments numbered 4 and 5 printed Part B of House Report 114-818.
10:15:15 A.M. H.R. 5982 DEBATE – Pursuant to a previous order of the Committee, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Connolly amendments en bloc.
10:26:38 A.M. H.R. 5982 POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Connolly amendments en bloc, the Chair put the question on the amendments en bloc and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Connolly demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on agreeing to the amendments en bloc until a time to be announced.
10:27:09 A.M. H.R. 5982 Mr. Issa moved that the Committee rise.
10:27:21 A.M. H.R. 5982 On motion that the Committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.
10:27:31 A.M. H.R. 5982 Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 5982 as unfinished business.
10:28:08 A.M. The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:50 a.m. today.
10:50:24 A.M. The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of November 17.
10:51:04 A.M. H.R. 5982 Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 5982 — “To amend chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, to provide for en bloc consideration in resolutions of disapproval for “midnight rules”, and for other purposes.”
10:51:21 A.M. H.R. 5982 The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
11:14:06 A.M. H.R. 5982 On agreeing to the Conyers amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 180 – 233 (Roll no. 581).
11:20:32 A.M. H.R. 5982 On agreeing to the Jackson Lee amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 179 – 238 (Roll no. 582).
11:25:17 A.M. H.R. 5982 On agreeing to the Connolly amendments; Failed by recorded vote: 180 – 237 (Roll no. 583).
11:25:23 A.M. H.R. 5982 The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 5982.
11:25:33 A.M. H.R. 5982 The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
11:28:30 A.M. H.R. 5982 Mr. Pocan moved to recommit with instructions to the Committee on the Judiciary.
11:28:39 A.M. H.R. 5982 DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Pocan motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment to add an exemption to the end of bill for any rule that pertains to improving employment, retention, and earnings of workforce participants, especially those participants with significant barriers to employment, improving the quality of the workforce, and enhancing the productivity and competitiveness of the nation.
11:35:58 A.M. H.R. 5982 The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
11:35:59 A.M. The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed S. 1808, S. 1915, H.R. 5392, H.R. 845, and H.R. 6007.
11:43:52 A.M. H.R. 5982 On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 181 – 239 (Roll no. 584).
11:49:42 A.M. H.R. 5982 On passage Passed by recorded vote: 240 – 179 (Roll no. 585).
11:49:44 A.M. H.R. 5982 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
11:49:56 A.M. H.R. 5711 The Chair announced that the unfinished business and pursuant to a previous order of the House, the question was on adoption of a motion to recommit with instructions, which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
11:49:57 A.M. H.R. 5711 Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 5711 — “To prohibit the Secretary of the Treasury from authorizing certain transactions by a U.S. financial institution in connection with the export or re-export of a commercial passenger aircraft to the Islamic Republic of Iran.”
11:56:37 A.M. H.R. 5711 On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 181 – 235 (Roll no. 586).
12:02:23 P.M. H.R. 5711 On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 243 – 174 (Roll no. 587).
12:02:24 P.M. H.R. 5711 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
12:02:57 P.M. Mr. Joyce asked unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 3:00 p.m. on November 18. Agreed to without objection.
12:03:14 P.M. ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
12:15:04 P.M. SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
1:33:00 P.M. Ms. Norton moved that the House do now adjourn.
1:33:13 P.M. On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
1:33:24 P.M. The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. on November 18, 2016.

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