ARHP leaders are directly involved in helping to defeat any language resembling the Stupak/Pitts amendment from being accepted during the conference committee.
- On Wednesday, November 18th, ARHP’s President and CEO, Wayne C. Shields, represented ARHP’s membership and joined leaders from other reproductive health non-profits in meetings with key members of Congress. Meetings were held with Senators Stabenow, Murray, Dodd, Boxer, and Brown, and Representatives DeLauro, DeGette, Markey, and Nadler. ARHP was proud to join other reproductive health leaders in this critical effort to protect women’s access to abortion coverage.
- On Wednesday, December 2nd, over 1,200 advocates, including most of the ARHP staff, met on Capitol Hill to rally and lobby their legislators. Over 100 lobby visits were scheduled, and advocates represented 30 states. Over 20 members of Congress spoke at rallies throughout the day in support of health care reform without the dangerous Stupak language.
- On Tuesday, December 18th, the Senate voted to table the Nelson/Hatch amendment by a vote of 54-45. The Nelson/Hatch amendment mirrored the dangerous Stupak/Pitts language. While the defeat of the Nelson/Hatch amendment is a victory for the pro-choice community, we must still work to prevent the Stupak/Pitts language from being included in the conference committee report which will resolve the differences between the House and Senate versions of health care reform.
- Please continue to let your legislators know where you stand on this important issue. In addition to signing the Stop Stupak petition, consider making appointments with legislators in your district.
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If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at policy@arhp.org.
