NARAL Pro-Choice America Delivers Petition with Nearly 100,000 Signatures to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid
Today, NARAL Pro-Choice America activists, along with our state affiliates and another progressive partner, People for the American Way, delivered a petition to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid that calls on him to resist pressure from anti-choice groups to insert the extreme anti-choice Stupak-Pitts language in the Senate's version of health-reform legislation.
Our goal was to collect 72,000 signatures in 72 hours ... but, thanks to our amazing activists, we exceeded that goal and collected 97,218 signatures in 72 hours!! AMAZING!
From NARAL Pro-Choice America's release, Nancy Keenan said:
"America's pro-choice majority is speaking up loudly and clearly," Keenan said. "As the fight for health reform moves forward, we are making sure Sen. Reid and his colleagues understand that adding the anti-choice Stupak-Pitts language to the Senate bill is not an option...This is a critical time for American women. Since the House passed a bill that included the Stupak-Pitts amendment, our supporters have channeled their outrage into action--and they're ready to go the distance to defeat the Stupak-Pitts abortion-coverage ban in the Senate."
You can read the full release here.
Naturally, we tweeted, twitpic'd, and otherwise documented the entire adventure... be sure to check out our slideshow below and also our microsite: www.StopAbortionBan.com!
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Abortion, abortion care, Harry Reid, health reform, House, insurance coverage, Nancy Keenan, NARAL Pro-Choice America, Pro-choice, Senate, United States,
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Below is a letter I just received from Chuck Schumer -- tell me because maybe I missed it in the rambling self-congratulatory response I got, but does he say anywhere that he is willing to stand up against Stupak?
Is this the kind of support we can count on because if it is, you can bet Stupak will not come out in conference.
All I asked was a simple yes or no question -- Will you vote against the health care bill if it contains Stupak and below is the letter I received.
Well I hope he will lose his "lifetime" rating and a lot more if he doesn't come out early and publicly against Stupak.
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Dear Valerie:
Thank you for contacting me to express your support for including women’s reproductive health coverage in health care reform. I wholeheartedly agree that addressing women’s health care is a critical part of increasing access to quality and affordable health care for every American.
Our country is facing a crisis in health care. The cost of health insurance is skyrocketing, and too many New York families are caught in the middle. Like you, I believe it is absolutely unacceptable that seventeen million American women do not have health care coverage. Both the health of our citizens and the health of our nation are at stake, and we must act soon.
As you know, many women face challenges in obtaining health insurance. Too many women lack health insurance and women often face higher costs and inadequate benefits. These are only a few of the reasons why I will fight to end the insurance company practices that discriminate against women. I also agree with you that women’s reproductive decisions should be personal, not dictated by the government or interest groups, and I have been a strong supporter of a woman’s right to chose. For example, I am an original cosponsor of the Prevention First Act, which would provide funds for education about contraception as well as teen pregnancy prevention. Because of my constant commitment to choice, the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League has given me a 100% lifetime rating.
The Senate is working to develop a solution to our current health crisis, and I will continue to fight to expand and maintain Americans' access to needed health care services as the health care reform moves forward. You can be confident that I will continue to be a vigilant advocate for expanding a woman's right to comprehensive and affordable quality care.
Thank you for contacting me about this important issue. Please do not hesitate to contact me again if I can ever be of assistance to you on this, or any other matter.
Sincerely,
Charles E. Schumer
United States Senator
I got the same form letter as you, Valerie. Disappointing, especially since he's been such an ally in health reform efforts. At least we have Gillibrand!
Don't Gillibrand for granted. She's part of the same GOP political machine as Al D'Amato and Joe Bruno. We have to push her just as hard as Schumer.