A powerful new ad

Republicans are pushing a radical agenda this year that would hurt millions of women. So we teamed up with "House" star Lisa Edelstein to make a powerful new ad that sounds the alarm. Can you donate $5 to help us get it on the air? Contribute Now

Dear MoveOn member,

Today, we're releasing a powerful new ad. "We Won't Go Back," with Lisa Edelstein, star of the hit TV show "House," is a hard-hitting portrayal of where the Republican war on women's health will lead if it's not stopped.

From a bill attempting to redefine rape to gutting access to reproductive health care, Republicans have made anti-woman and anti-choice legislation a top priority this year.¹

The new ad calls out the Republican efforts for what they are: an attempt to send women back to the back alley. But far too few people even know about their efforts. So to stop them, we've got to get this ad out far and wide, and make sure voters see just what Republicans are trying to do.

To get the ad on the air on national television, we need to raise $160,000. Can you chip in $5 today? Just click here to see the ad and donate:

https://pol.moveon.org/donate/backalleyad.html?bg_id=hpc5&id=26124-10220574-3maoRKx&t=4

Women's rights leaders have warned that the Republican effort would be a radical, far-reaching rollback of women's rights. Rep. Carolyn Maloney called it "the deepest attack on a woman's right to choose in my lifetime."² Expert Jessica Arons said it would "accomplish the unstated end of making abortion as difficult to obtain as possible without actually criminalizing it."³

One bill would effectively prevent women from purchasing insurance that includes abortion coverage in the new insurance exchanges even if they're using their own money. Experts warn this type of restriction could lead to insurance companies dropping abortion coverage entirely.⁴ The same bill would also levy a tax on small businesses and individuals who purchase insurance coverage that includes abortion.⁵

Another bill would, incredibly, allow hospitals to turn away a woman seeking an abortion, even if she'll die without it—a major change from current law.⁶

Republicans have a real chance of passing these bills—unless we sound the alarm right away. Can you help us get this new ad on the air? Just click here to donate and watch the new ad:

https://pol.moveon.org/donate/backalleyad.html?bg_id=hpc5&id=26124-10220574-3maoRKx&t=5

Thanks for all you do.

–Kat, Michael, Lenore, Tim, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "'Forcible Rape' Language Remains In Bill To Restrict Abortion Funding," Huffington Post, February 9, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=206084&id=26124-10220574-3maoRKx&t=6

"Abortion Funding Showdown Escalates," CBS News, February 8, 2011
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20031081-503544.html

"Extreme Abortion Coverage Ban Introduced," Center for American Progress, January 20, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205961&id=26124-10220574-3maoRKx&t=7

2. "Democratic Reps. Unimpressed With New House Abortion Bill," Talking Points Memo, February 3, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205966&id=26124-10220574-3maoRKx&t=8

3. "Extreme Abortion Coverage Ban Introduced," Center for American Progress, January 20, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205961&id=26124-10220574-3maoRKx&t=9

4. Ibid.

"An Analysis of the Implications of the Stupak/Pitts Amendment for Coverage of Medically Indicated Abortions," The George Washington University Medical Center, School of Public Health & Health Services, November 16, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205972&id=26124-10220574-3maoRKx&t=10 (PDF)

"Study: Stupak Amendment Will Eliminate Abortion Coverage 'Over Time For All Women,'" Talking Points Memo, November 18, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205973&id=26124-10220574-3maoRKx&t=11

5. "Extreme Abortion Coverage Ban Introduced," Center for American Progress, January 20, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205961&id=26124-10220574-3maoRKx&t=12

6. "New GOP Bill Would Allow Hospitals To Let Women Die Instead Of Having An Abortion," Talking Points Memo, February 4, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205974&id=26124-10220574-3maoRKx&t=13

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.

---

PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on February 15, 2011. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Ask Rep. McCarthy to save NPR and PBS

We need to stop the Republican attack on public broadcasting. Can you call Rep. McCarthy and ask her to add her name to the letter opposing the drastic budget cuts for PBS and NPR? Representative Carolyn McCarthy Phone: 202-225-5516 Report your call

Dear MoveOn member,

Our petition to save NPR and PBS has taken off! More than 400,000 people have signed since Friday.

But far from backing off, Republicans are doubling down. They released a new version of their budget Friday that not only zeroes out federal funding for NPR and PBS going forward, but even claws back funding for this year that's already been promised.¹

A group of House Democrats is fighting back with a "Dear Colleague" letter, and they're trying to get as many representatives as possible to sign on by the time they deliver it to the House leadership tomorrow. Can you call Rep. McCarthy now and ask her to add her name?

Tell her why NPR and PBS are so important to you, personally, and then ask her to sign the "Dear Colleague" letter being circulated by Rep. Earl Blumenauer's office protesting the cuts.

Representative Carolyn McCarthy
Phone: 202-225-5516

Click here to report your call

And if you haven't already, please send the petition on to your friends and family.  We're trying to get a half-million signatures before we deliver the petitions tomorrow.  

Here's some text you can forward:

The Republicans just released their budget proposal, and it zeroes out funding for both NPR and PBS—the worst proposal in more than a decade. We need to tell Republicans that cutting off funding was unacceptable last time they were in charge, and it's unacceptable now.

I just signed the petition to save NPR and PBS. Can you join me at the link below?

Sign the petition to save NPR and PBS

Thanks for all you do.

–Daniel, Milan, Anna, Stephen, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "Republicans Propose Zeroing Out CPB Funding," Broadcasting & Cable, February 13, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=206078&id=26104-10220574-8DMd5Ux&t=5

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.

---

PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on February 14, 2011. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

RE: Save NPR and PBS

Dear MoveOn member,

Amazing! Since yesterday, more than 290,000 people have signed our petition telling Republicans to keep their hands off of federal funding for PBS and NPR.

We're aiming to deliver a half-million signatures to Congress next week, to make clear that public broadcasting serves a huge number of Americans and cutting its funding is simply unacceptable.

Can you help us reach our goal by sharing the petition on Facebook this weekend?

Share the petition on Facebook

Thanks for all you do.

–Daniel, Amy, Michael, Wes, and the rest of the team

P.S. You can also just forward the email below asking people to sign:

The Republicans just released their budget proposal, and it zeroes out funding for both NPR and PBS—the worst proposal in more than a decade. We need to tell Republicans that cutting off funding was unacceptable last time they were in charge, and it's unacceptable now.

I just signed the petition to save NPR and PBS. Can you join me at the link below?

Sign the petition to save NPR and PBS

Thanks!

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.

---

PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on February 12, 2011. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Save NPR and PBS

"Congress must protect NPR and PBS and guarantee them permanent funding, free from political meddling." Sign the petition

Dear MoveOn member,

I guess we shouldn't be surprised.

With Republicans back in charge of the House of Representatives, funding for NPR and PBS is in grave danger. Again.

The Republicans just released their budget proposal, and it zeroes out funding for both NPR and PBS—the worst proposal in more than a decade.¹

They probably think that no one will notice these cuts in the midst of so many others. But the millions of listeners and viewers who rely on public broadcasting for "Sesame Street," "All Things Considered," and independent journalism will notice.

We need to tell Republicans that cutting off funding was unacceptable last time they were in charge, and it's unacceptable now. 

Add your name to the petition to save NPR and PBS:

http://pol.moveon.org/nprpbs?id=26078-10220574-vJniz1x&t=4

The petition says: "Congress must protect NPR and PBS and guarantee them permanent funding, free from political meddling."

Thanks for all you do.

–Daniel, Amy, Michael, Wes, and the rest of the team

1. "Beyond Reason on the Budget," The New York Times, February 10, 2011
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/11/opinion/11fri1.html

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.

---

PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on February 11, 2011. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Back to the back alley?

"Stop the GOP war on women's health. Please oppose the bills that would restrict abortion coverage and erode a woman's right to choose." Sign the petition

Dear MoveOn member,

Big news: Thanks in part to you and the 581,053 others who signed the "Redefining Rape?" petition, the Republicans are back-pedaling from their attempt to redefine rape.¹ Your support made a real difference.

But this legislation is still terrible for women. Rep. Carolyn Maloney called it "the deepest attack on a woman's right to choose in my lifetime."² Expert Jessica Arons said it would "accomplish the unstated end of making abortion as difficult to obtain as possible without actually criminalizing it."³

Among other things, the bill would effectively prevent women from using their own money to purchase insurance that includes abortion coverage in the new insurance exchanges. Experts warn this could lead to insurance companies dropping abortion coverage entirely.⁴

And it's only one part of the Republicans' attack on women's health. A second bill would allow hospitals to let a pregnant woman die rather than perform the abortion that would save her life.⁵

It's reprehensible. We can't let the GOP force women back into the back alley. You stood up against the disgusting "forcible rape" provision—now can you stand together to tell Congress to oppose these attacks on women's right to choose by signing the petition below?

http://pol.moveon.org/wontgoback/?id=26019-10220574-HiJigzx&t=3

The petition says: "Stop the GOP war on women's health. Please oppose the bills that would restrict abortion coverage and erode a woman's right to choose."

On Tuesday, local MoveOn members in "We Won't Go Back to the Back Alley" T-shirts will deliver your petitions during a hearing on Capitol Hill. Anti-choice activists are sure to be out in full force at the hearing, so we need a huge stack of names to show Congress and the news media that voters won't stand for this attack.

These GOP bills are a full-throated attack on women's reproductive freedoms. Their legislation would:⁶

• Effectively ban abortion coverage in the new health insurance exchanges even if people pay for coverage with their own money.
  
• Impose tax penalties on small businesses that pay for health plans that cover abortion and people who pay for abortion care.
  
• Force the District of Columbia to impose all of the above laws, instead of letting the city decide its own laws.
• Permanently ban abortion care for women insured by the government.
  

And a recently added provision is perhaps the most disgusting: allowing hospitals to deny a woman a life-saving abortion. If this bill passes, hospitals will be allowed to turn away a woman seeking an abortion, even if she'll die without it—a major change from current law.⁷

Will you sign the petition today and stand up for a woman's right to choose?

Don't let the GOP send us back to the back alley. Sign the petition and share with your friends today:

http://pol.moveon.org/wontgoback/?id=26019-10220574-HiJigzx&t=4

Thanks for all you do.

–Kat, Eli, Milan, Carrie, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "House Republicans drop controversial 'forcible rape' language," CNN, February 3, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205960&id=26019-10220574-HiJigzx&t=5

2. "Democratic Reps. Unimpressed With New House Abortion Bill," Talking Points Memo, February 3, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205966&id=26019-10220574-HiJigzx&t=6

3. "Extreme Abortion Coverage Ban Introduced," Center for American Progress, January 20, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205961&id=26019-10220574-HiJigzx&t=7

4. "An Analysis of the Implications of the Stupak/Pitts Amendment for Coverage of Medically Indicated Abortions," The George Washington University Medical Center, School of Public Health & Health Services, November 16, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205972&id=26019-10220574-HiJigzx&t=8 (PDF)

"Study: Stupak Amendment Will Eliminate Abortion Coverage 'Over Time For All Women,'" Talking Points Memo, November 18, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205973&id=26019-10220574-HiJigzx&t=9

"A Quick Note on the 'No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act,'" Mother Jones, January 20, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205975&id=26019-10220574-HiJigzx&t=10

"Extreme Abortion Coverage Ban Introduced," Center for American Progress, January 20, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205961&id=26019-10220574-HiJigzx&t=11

5. "New GOP Bill Would Allow Hospitals To Let Women Die Instead Of Having An Abortion," Talking Points Memo, February 4, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205974&id=26019-10220574-HiJigzx&t=12

6. "Extreme Abortion Coverage Ban Introduced," Center for American Progress, January 20, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205961&id=26019-10220574-HiJigzx&t=13

7. "New GOP Bill Would Allow Hospitals To Let Women Die Instead Of Having An Abortion," Talking Points Memo, February 4, 2011
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/02/new-gop-law-would-allow-hospitals-to-let-women-die-instead-of-having-an-abortion.php.

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.

---

PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on February 5, 2011. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

RE: Redefining Rape

Dear MoveOn member,

Incredible! Since yesterday, over 360,000 people have signed our petition demanding Congress oppose the GOP legislation that could redefine rape.

If we get to half a million signers, we'll hand-deliver all the signatures during an upcoming hearing on the bill—right in front of the news media and their cameras. Can you help us reach our goal by sharing the petition with your friends, family, and co-workers?

http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205956&id=25994-10220574-g6afb4x&t=1

Thanks for all you do.

–Kat, Marika, Michael, Daniel, and the rest of the team

P.S. You can also just pass the text below on by email:

I just heard about a horrible GOP bill that could redefine rape and set women's rights back by decades.

Here's the deal: Right now, federal dollars can't be used for abortion except in cases of rape, incest, or when the woman's life is in danger. But the bill, introduced by Republican Congressman Chris Smith, would narrow that use to "cases of 'forcible' rape but not statutory or coerced rape."

As far too many women know, bruises and broken bones do not define rape—a lack of consent does. This bill is scary—so I signed a petition telling Congress to stand up and oppose the bill. Can you join me at the link below?

http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205957&id=25994-10220574-g6afb4x&t=2

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.

---

PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on February 2, 2011. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Redefining rape?

"Bruises and broken bones do not define rape—a lack of consent does. Stand up and oppose the dangerous GOP legislation to redefine rape." Sign the petition

Dear MoveOn member,

Think "no" means "no"?

Well, 173 members of Congress don't.

A far-reaching anti-choice bill, introduced by Republican Chris Smith and supported by 173 members of the House, includes a provision that could redefine rape and set women's rights back by decades.¹

Right now, federal dollars can't be used for abortion except in cases of rape, incest, or when the woman's life is in danger.

But according to the New York Times, the Smith bill would narrow that use to "cases of 'forcible' rape but not statutory or coerced rape."² This could mean cases where women are "drugged or given excessive amounts of alcohol, rapes of women with limited mental capacity, and many date rapes" would no longer count as rape.³

As far too many women know, bruises and broken bones do not define rape—a lack of consent does. The Smith bill is scary. And with 173 supporters it already has a frightening chance of passage—unless the public speaks up right away with an outcry that can't be ignored.

Can you sign the petition to Congress today, demanding they oppose the sexist, anti-choice Smith bill?

The petition says: "Bruises and broken bones do not define rape—a lack of consent does. Stand up and oppose the dangerous GOP legislation to redefine rape."

Federal funds are already severely restricted when it comes to reproductive rights and women's health care, a situation that ends up hurting lower-income women in particular, who tend to use federally-funded services more often than wealthy women. The last thing we ought to be doing is legislating to make these laws more stringent.

In addition, the Smith bill is full of dangerous anti-choice provisions as well as the rape redefinition. Called "Stupak on Steroids" by NARAL Pro-Choice America in reference to Rep. Bart Stupak's failed attempt to push stringent restrictions on insurance coverage for abortion during the health care debate, it would "force millions of American families to pay more taxes if their health plan covers abortion care, jeopardizing abortion coverage in the private market."⁴

The Smith bill is just the first of many attacks on women's rights to come in the new GOP-controlled House.⁵ If it moves forward, it would set an incredibly dangerous precedent for GOP action in the House for the next two years.

Can you sign the petition asking Congress to denounce the Smith bill to redefine rape? Click here:

http://pol.moveon.org/smithbill/?id=25965-10220574-iJYZuRx&t=4

Thanks for all you do.

–Kat, Eli, Milan, Carrie, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "The House GOP's Plan to Redefine Rape," Mother Jones, January 28, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205936&id=25965-10220574-iJYZuRx&t=5

"Stupak on Steroids," The Hill, January 25, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205938&id=25965-10220574-iJYZuRx&t=6

2. "The Two Abortion Wars: A Highly Intrusive Federal Bill," New York Times, January 29, 2011
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/30/opinion/30sun1.html

3. "The House GOP's Plan to Redefine Rape," Mother Jones, January 28, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205936&id=25965-10220574-iJYZuRx&t=7

"Stupak on Steroids," The Hill, January 25, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205938&id=25965-10220574-iJYZuRx&t=8

5. Ibid.

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.

---

PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on February 1, 2011. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.