By Laura BassettOn the 42nd anniversary of the Supreme Court's landmark abortion rights decision in Roe v. Wade, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 242-179 to pass a bill that would codify a ban on federal funding for abortions.The bill would prevent women from having their abortions covered by Medicaid; restrict a woman's ability to buy private insurance plans that include… Read more »
After the midterm elections in November, Republicans made a promise to the American public that they would focus their efforts on the economic well being of their constituents. Despite considerable opposition within their own Party from courageous legislators like Congresswoman Renee Ellmers (NC-02), this promise was quickly abandoned, just days into the new legislative session, in pursuit of yet another drastic assault against women's reproductive freedom and care. Meddling in the private health care decisions of women and their doctors is as unnecessary as it is offensive. Read more »
Americans saw many of their Members of Congress with yellow pencils with them tonight. In the face of the terrorist attack in France, the pencil has become the international symbol in support of free speech. Rather than divide and intimidate us, these vicious attacks have united the international community and prompted a global response in defense of the freedom of expression. I am honored that so many of my congressional colleagues joined me in this tribute to honor those who lost their lives in the pursuit of open ideas and free expression. Read more »
We need to use every resource at our disposal, both at the local and federal level, to ensure that we are effectively targeting crime reduction without compromising the civil rights of our citizens. Without a strong relationship based on trust and understanding, local law enforcement and the communities that they protect will be unable to work together to improve the public safety of our neighborhoods. Read more »
As we move ahead, I look forward to working with President Obama and my congressional colleagues in pursing a comprehensive, bipartisan bill that will finally fix this outdated system. Democrats are up to the task. I look to my Republican counterparts to set aside the rhetoric and join us. Read more »
Every week this month, our office has posted resources, links, and stories about the struggle faced by those whose lives have been effected by this reprehensible practice. We've highlighted the complexities in our legal justice system, underscored the shocking statistics of intimate partner violence in the LGBTQ community, and promoted the noble work of our local businesses in raising… Read more »
By Cristina Marcos Wisconsin Democratic Reps. Mark Pocan and Gwen Moore slammed Gov. Scott Walker's proposal that welfare beneficiaries undergo drug testing. "It is time Governor Scott Walker stop blaming the poor for being poor," Pocan said in a statement. "Before coming up with new, costly, and ineffective policies, Governor Walker needs to first… Read more »
From a lack of access to dependable transportation and matters of convenience to those with serious physical limitations, voters who choose to vote absentee, often do this for a number of different reasons. As a result, we know it will be more difficult, and in some cases impossible, for many of these absentee voters to come into compliance with the requirements of Act 23. That is why I am skeptical of the GAB's current plan to write letters to the 11,000 voters who have already been issued absentee ballots to request that they provide photocopied photo identification with their returned absentee ballot. Read more »
The resignation of Attorney General Eric Holder is a great loss for our country. As one of the Obama Administration's leading progressive voices, Attorney General Holder led the charge in support of same-sex marriage, protecting our voting rights, and addressing the inequities in our criminal justice system. As the first African-American to serve as Attorney General, his honorable legacy of justice is nothing less than historic. Read more »
I find it shameful that Governor Walker has chosen to drug test our struggling Wisconsin families as a condition of eligibility for vital, life-saving social services. The insinuation that those battling poverty are somehow more susceptible to substance abuse is as absurd as it is offensive. Drug addition and subsistence abuse knows no economic or social distinctions. This discriminatory policy is devoid of any scientific credibility and has proven in the past to be fiscally irresponsible and a colossal waste of our time. Read more »
