VAWA momentum, a threat to abortion rights, and the wait for equal pay: Civic action to-do list for 4-8-19
3. Last week the House of Representatives passed the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act (H.R. 1585) by an overwhelming majority! Now the Senate must take up this strong bill with key enhancements.
In a nutshell: Among the many enhancements in this year’s VAWA, H.R. 1585 closes the boyfriend loophole, provides additional funding for prevention programming, and ends impunity for non-Native rapists on Tribal land. (learn more)
Take Action: Click here to see if your Representative voted for H.R. 1585. If they did – thank them! If they didn’t – call them and tell them you are disappointed with their vote. Also, call your Senators and tell them to publicly state that they support the important enhancements in the House version.
2. A woman’s constitutional right to access a safe, legal abortion is fundamental to women’s health and economic security, and yet the Senate Judiciary Committee is holding a hearing tomorrow on a bill that would make it nearly impossible for individuals to exercise this right. (learn more)
In a nutshell: S. 160 would impose a nationwide ban on abortion with only two inadequate and extremely narrow exceptions. The bill expands on state level restrictions that violate a woman’s right to decide whether to continue or end a pregnancy.
Take Action: Watch the hearing tomorrow and email your Senators to tell them to oppose S. 160!
1. Women still only earn, on average, 80 cents to every dollar a man earns. While the wage gap has narrowed since the passage of the Equal Pay Act in 1963, at the current rate women won't receive equal pay until 2059!
In a nutshell: Last month the House of Representatives passed the Paycheck Fairness Act, a bill that would help break harmful patterns of pay discrimination and strengthen workplace protections for women. (learn more)
Take Action: Email your Senators and tell them to co-sponsor the Paycheck Fairness Act (S. 270)! In the House, contact your Representatives and tell them to support Rep. Frankel’s resolution (Res. 30) to recognize the significant disparity in wages, and Rep. Castor’s resolution (Res. 29) to make sure female athletes are paid the same as their male counterparts.