Florida NOW

Statement by NOW President Toni Van Pelt:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – NOW is a strong supporter of the Women’s Health Protection Act, and we applaud Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-N.J.) and Health Subcommittee Chairwoman Anna G. Eshoo (D-Calif.) for their leadership.  Today, Rep. Eshoo will chair a hearing entitled “Protecting Women’s Access to Reproductive Health Care”—adding another milestone to this already historic record of the 116th Congress. 

In testimony I submitted for today’s hearing, I said: 

“We know that this campaign against women’s access to reproductive health care has nothing to do with promoting women’s health and safety but is about controlling women and their bodies. Misogyny clearly plays a part. It is hard to believe that in the 21st century, in the wealthiest nation in the world, with all of our medical advances that these restrictions on vital health care needs have been allowed to persist.” 

NOW proudly stands behind Rep. Eshoo, her colleagues, and today’s witnesses as they bear witness to the need for a statutory protection for access to abortion care free from medically unnecessary limits and bans. 

Contact

Kimberly Hayes, Press Secretary , press@now.org , 202-570-4745

Statement from NOW President Toni Van Pelt:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — NOW members have been working tirelessly for the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) for decades—generations even. Some NOW members who marched for the ERA in the 1970s are being joined by their daughters and granddaughters at rallies and grassroots actions today.  

On Thursday, February 13, the House of Representatives will vote on a resolution to remove the arbitrary timeline that was placed in the preamble to the Equal Rights Amendment. Because it’s not actually in the text of the ERA, we believe, along with many top Constitutional law scholars, that it’s not binding.  

But Donald Trump, William Barr and Mitch McConnell will use every excuse they can find to block the ERA. A strong bipartisan vote in the House is the best way to take them on as we enter the final stretch to constitutional equality for women and gender minorities.  

We’re calling on NOW members to tell their representatives in Congress to stand up for the ERA and vote to remove the arbitrary timeline. This measure deserves bipartisan support—so it’s especially important to let Republican members know where you stand.  

Congress must remove the arbitrary timeline and reaffirm its commitment to the ERA. A democracy that fails to include women in its founding document is a failed democracy.

Contact

, press@now.org , 202-570-4745

Statement from NOW President Toni Van Pelt:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the House of Representatives passed legislation to establish the Smithsonian Women’s History Museum in the nation’s capital.  This victory has been a priority for female lawmakers in Congress like Rep. Carolyn Maloney, the author of the legislation. 

In 2014, Rep. Maloney’s bill passed overwhelmingly, with just 33 Republicans voting against it.  Now today, the bill once again passed with bipartisan support. 

“With each step we take forward, the steps behind us disappear,” Rep. Maloney then said. And we must continue taking these steps forward and pressure Mitch McConnell to bring this legislation to a vote in the Senate. 

We look towards the day when young women visiting the nation’s capital can visit a museum that inspires them to follow in the footsteps of the women whose achievements have shaped our history.  NOW salutes Carolyn Maloney and her colleagues for their tireless leadership to advance this historic step forward. 

Contact

Kimberly Hayes, Press Secretary , press@now.org , 202-570-4745