Stop Republican War on Women

I'm writing to follow up on Michael's message about the dangerous attack on women's health and reproductive freedom passed by the House this month. We have the chance to stop H.R. 3 in the Senate, but we need to make sure senators are getting the message loud and clear that Americans oppose the Right's war on women. Nearly 35,000 PFAW members and activists have already joined our emergency petition to the Senate. Can you help us hit 50,000 before the Senate adjourns for the Memorial Day break? 

Please take a moment to add your name to the petition now. 

After you sign, please help us hit our goal by spreading the word to others. 

Thank you for your activism and for standing up for constitutional rights and values. 

-- Ben Betz, Online Strategy Manager 

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From: Michael Keegan, People For the American Way
To: Ben Betz
Date: May 11, 2011
Re: House Passes Shocking Anti-Woman Bill

Emergency Petition to Stop H.R. 3 If we can't stop it in the Senate, the "No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act" (H.R. 3) will resurrect the failed "Stupak ban" from the health care debate, effectively banning even private coverage of abortion care ... and a tax provision in the bill will could mean that rape and incest survivors who choose abortion care would be audited by the IRS.

Dear Ben,

Extremism has defined the Republican House majority since it took power in January. And chief among their extremist pursuits has been a relentless legislative war on women. They voted to defund Planned Parenthood ... they used the budget compromise to take away access to abortion for women (especially low-income women) in the District of Columbia ... and just last week, they passed one of the most sweeping attacks on choice ever. 

Help stop the "No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act" (H.R. 3) in Senate by signing our emergency petition now. 

We expect that Republicans in the Senate will now try to push this legislation through as an amendment to another bill. 

H.R. 3 does a lot more than its name would imply.

• It resurrects the failed "Stupak ban" from the healthcare debate, effectively banning even private coverage of abortion care, and adds a new tax penalty to ensure that the ban becomes a reality.
  
• It opens up the possibility that rape and incest survivors who choose abortion care could be audited by the IRS.
  
• It makes permanent the current annual ban on federal abortion funding known as the "Hyde Amendment." 
  
• It continues a funding ban for the District of Columbia.
  
• It expands refusal clauses that allow healthcare providers to refuse to provide abortion services. 
  
• Finally, it has been reported that Republicans are trying to reinstate a widely-condemned redefinition of rape through behind-the-scenes procedural tactics.

Senators need to hear from Americans en masse that it's up to them to hold the line. Senate Leadership can't let H.R. 3 be sneaked onto the floor as an amendment and ALL Senators need to know that Americans oppose the House GOP's war on women. 

Sign the petition now. 

Americans want jobs, not extremist attacks on women's fundamental constitutional rights. After you take action, please spread the word. 

Thank you for once again doing your part to speak out in defense of the American Way. 

Sincerely,

Michael Keegan, President