Stay engaged, involved, and up-to-date: 08/13/2018 Weekly Review
Tuesday, August 21st, 2018
Stay engaged, involved, and up-to-date: In the weekly reviews from the Women’s Public Policy Network, we look back on last week’s highlights from the WPPN, share updates on bills affecting women that are moving at the Statehouse, showcase weekly news clips, and provide calls to action on bills pending in the Legislature. Sign up for our emails to receive these updates in your inbox every week!
#SAVESCOTUS: A SUPREME COURT TOOLKIT FOR ADVOCACY IN OHIO
During Trump’s presidential campaign, he vowed to appoint only pro-life Judges who would overturn Roe v. Wade and dismantle the Affordable Care Act (ACA).Now, that threat is very real with Trump’s nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to fill the open seat of retiring Justice Anthony Kennedy.
Kavanaugh has a history of siding against women: ruling in favor of blocking a young immigrant woman’s access to an abortion; writing an opinion in favor of allowing employers to put their religious beliefs ahead of workers’ right to birth control coverage; and consistently ruling against workers seeking justice for employment discrimination.
There is so much at stake. The appointment of Judge Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court could fundamentally shift the balance of the Court to rule against the constitutional rights of women, immigrants, LGBTQ people, workers and labor unions, and communities of color. Use our SCOTUS Toolkit to take action now!
WHAT’S NEW IN THE NEWS FROM THIS PAST WEEK
I was denied insurance coverage for birth control. Kavanaugh would make the problem worse.
USA Today, August 9, 2018
The New York Times, August 12, 2018
Boston Globe, August 13, 2018
Would Brett Kavanaugh Protect Pregnant Workers
Forbes, August 13, 2018
Women poised to make political history, and other takeaways from Tuesday primaries
USA Today, August 15, 2018
A Letter to White Progressive Women After Charlottesville
Ohio Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice Blog, August 15, 2018
Elite CEO pay jumps to average of $19 million, as fears mount over the wealthy pocketing gains
The Washington Post, August 16, 2018
The New York Times, August 18, 2018
#OHLEG ALERT
We are tracking the progress of any state bills affecting women in the Ohio Legislature for the 132nd General Assembly. The House and Senate were out last week and will also be out this upcoming week for summer recess. The Senate was originally scheduled to meet this week, but session was cancelled. One quick update:
- House Bill 719(Pelanda) – Sex Assault Kits: Requires the Ohio Attorney General’s office to create and maintain a tracking system for processing sexual assault exam kits. The bill was introduced in the House on August 14. A companion bill was introduced in the Senate the previous week.
RAISE YOUR VOICE TO #SAVESCOTUS
There is so much at stake with the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court – and women are rising up and taking action. We cannot afford to sit on the side lines during this fight. Kavanaugh’s nomination threatens to shift the balance of the courts and he has proven that he will not stand up for the constitutional rights of women.
Women’s groups across the country and here in Ohio are joining together to launch Justice Rising: Women United to Stop Kavanaugh. This week of action will pull together women, allies, and advocates to make our voices heard and stop Kavanaugh’s nomination. Learn more about how you can join in:
Monday, August 20: Speak Out to Save Roe
The National Women’s Law Center, Advocates for Youth, National Network of Abortion Funds, Planned Parenthood and more led a day of abortion storytelling in Washington D.C. and online. You can find those stories and more on Twitter by searching the hashtag #SpeakOutSaveRoe
Tuesday, August 21:We Really DO Care – #StopKavanaugh to Protect the ACA, People with Pre-Existing Conditions, and People with Disabilities
The National Partnership for Women and Families, National Women’s Law Center and Protect Our Care will be lifting up health care stories and concerns to members of the Senate. Join a Twitter storm from 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm with the hashtag #PreExAtStake. Use the Digital Toolkit here.
Wednesday, August 22: Working Women Will #StopKavanaugh
Kavanaugh has a record of ruling against working people, especially those pursuing employment discrimination claims or trying to form a union. The National Women’s Law Center, in partnership with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, Coalition of Labor Union Women, Service Employees International Union (SEIU), TIME’S UP, United State of Women, and YWCA will host a rally at 12:30 p.m. in front of the United States Supreme Court to highlight the dangers Brett Kavanaugh poses to women’s workplace fairness and opportunity. Follow along on Twitter using the hashtagh #StopKavanaugh.
Thursday, August 23: Fight for Reproductive Justice – #StopKavanaugh
All* Above All, National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum, URGE: Unite for Reproductive & Gender Equity, and other reproductive justice organizations are organizing advocates across the country in opposition to Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination to the Supreme Court. Join in by using the hashtag #StopKavanaugh
AND
Women of Faith Speak Out to #StopKavanaugh
The National Council for Jewish Women and allied organizations will lead a digital campaign to raise the visibility of women whose faith convictions drive their opposition to Brett Kavanaugh. Join this day of action by calling your senators. Contact the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 to get connected to Ohio’s Senators Sherrod Brown and Rob Portman.
Friday, August 24: Fighting for Our Future
Youth, students, and educators are engaging advocates and partners for a civic engagement campaign, including letter-writing, teach-ins and more to ensure that our nation’s most forward-thinking generation doesn’t spend a lifetime under a backward-looking Supreme Court. Follow along using the hashtag #StopKavanaugh.
Saturday, August 25: United for Justice National Day of Action
NARAL Pro-Choice, MoveOn, and more are hosting events across the country for a national day of action to stop the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh. Find an event near you and RSVP here.
