The cherry blossoms and dogwood are blooming in Washington, DC, so it’s not hard to feel happy, especially as I stood with ACLU of MAINE Board Vice President Susan Peck and our partners at Planned Parenthood, Meghan Hannan and Tanna Clews, listening to fabulous speakers at the Stand for Women’s Health rally today. So many amazing women (and men!) gathered from all across the country to support family planning and Planned Parenthood. Following the rally, we walked over to the Senate and House Office Buildings to lobby against budget riders that would strip Planned Parenthood and family planning organizations of vital funding that supports preventative healthcare for millions of women (and men) across the country.
Representative Chellie Pingree had just finished up at a hearing in the Armed Services Committee about Don't Ask, Don't Tell. Representative Pingree is a fighter for women's rights, and we had a long conversation about how all of us can work together to defend women's health. The Congresswoman told us that letters matter in swaying her colleagues all across the Hill to do the right thing. We lost track of time in talking, making us almost fifteen minutes late for Congressman Mike Michaud. He was incredibly gracious and forgiving of our tardiness. He took time in hearing our concerns and asking questions about our views on bills like HR 3 which would impose a new abortion tax. Really. An abortion tax. You can read all about it here. We also shared our concerns about HR 358, a bill that would allow hospitals to deny emergency care to a pregnant woman who needs an abortion even if it would save her life. It's not pro-life to make it legal for a hospital to refuse to save a woman's life.
Susan and I were grateful for the time and attention Representatives Pingree and MIchaud took to talk to us today. The budget negotiations between House Speaker John Boehner, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, and President Barack Obama have not finished yet. We still do not know if the final budget resolution will eliminate Planned Parenthood or Title X funding. Speaker Boehner is drawing a line in the sand insisting that the DC abortion ban be included in the budget. Some House Republicans want to use the budget to impose the global gag rule, prohibiting funding for international family planning organizations that even discuss abortion as an option with their clients. It felt important for us to be in Washington, DC today. Decisions that get made behind closed doors here in the Capitol affect the lives of millions. Our voice matters...and we are grateful to have Representatives who will take the time to listen. Thank you.