Yesterday, on the eve of Holocaust Remembrance Day, Secretary of State John Kerry commented at the Trilateral Commission that Israel could become an “apartheid state” if diplomatic talks to reach a peaceful Israeli-Palestinian two-state solution fails. Read More
Since its creation in 1948, Israel has been in conflict with its Palestinian and Arab neighbors. That conflict, sparked by religion, has continuously stalled peace within the region. Read More
Both the House and Senate will be out of session until April 28.
Both the House and the Senate will be out of session until April 28.
While the President’s 77 cent myth makes a good talking point, that number ignores the variables that are unique to the choices women make, which differ from men, in their work/life balance. Read CWALAC’s letter (click here) of opposition to the Paycheck Fairness Act (S.2199) that would harm women in the workforce.
Good public policy should promote “work/life balance” and recognize that women want working circumstances that will allow them flexibility.To read more, click here.
Both the House and Senate were out of session this week.
Highlights while members were back in the district:
House
After being pushed to vote on the National Women’s History Museum, Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Virginia) has agreed to hold a vote on this legislation (H.R. 863) sometime this year. While the idea of celebrating women is admirable, we are concerned that the content of such a museum would be slanted to represent feminist ideology and would not provide an accurate portrayal of American women. Already, we have a clear indication about the types of women that would be highlighted. The website attached to this proposed museum references Margaret Sanger nine times and Victoria Woodhull over 20, while referencing Phyllis Schlafly once and not mentioning Beverly LaHaye at all. It also highlights Sandra Fluke, while ignoring Jeane Kirkpatrick, Kay Cole James, Alveda King, and Star Parker. The Public Lands Subcommittee will hold a hearing about this legislation next Tuesday.
Act Now: Please call Majority Leader Cantor at 202-225-4000 and ask him not to bring this legislation up for a vote in the House unless the diversity of opinion among American women about our own history is affirmatively addressed and safeguarded by Congress.
Senate
One year ago, on March 18, Kermit Gosnell and his “House of Horrors” became national news.
Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) had this to say:
“It was one year ago this week that Americans across the country first learned the name of a Philadelphia abortionist named Kermit Gosnell. The Gosnell trial shocked the conscience of the nation and awakened many to the dangerous conditions that can exist at abortion clinics nationwide. It prompted a renewed commitment to ensuring that health and safety standards at these clinics are actually enforced, and it led to the humane effort to ensure that late-term babies who have developed to the point that they are capable of feeling pain are protected from rogue doctors and lax regulators alike. At the federal level, this effort resulted in the Pain-Capable Abortion Act, which passed the House last summer in a historic pro-life vote. Senator Lindsey Graham has sponsored a companion bill in the Senate, and I am proud to stand with the Pro-Life Women’s Caucus in Congress and a clear majority of women nationwide in support of this common-sense legislation. It is time for America to join the ranks of most other developed nations around the world and restrict abortion at least at the point at which science tells us that unborn babies are capable of feeling pain. On this anniversary of the Gosnell trial, let’s show the world that we remember those who have been victimized by people like Kermit Gosnell and unite in this positive and life-affirming effort to safeguard the most vulnerable among us. Let’s take up this important pro-life legislation and send it to the President.”
Action: Click here to see if your senator supports the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. If not, call your senators and urge them to support S. 1670.
House
Ukraine: Last Friday, the House passed a bill to provide the Administration with the authority to extend loan guarantees to the government in Ukraine. This week, the House passed a bill that expressed support for the people of Ukraine and their territorial integrity. Both bills passed with overwhelming bipartisan support.
Executive Overreach: This week the House passed a couple of bills that would try to rein in the Administration. The first requires the Administration to report to Congress when it decides not to execute the laws of the land. The second gives Congress a way to sue the Executive branch for failure to faithfully execute the laws. Although President Obama has issued a veto threat, it is unlikely that these bills will reach his desk because Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nevada) is not likely to bring them up for a vote in the Senate.
Air Force: This week, the Air Force Academy forced a cadet to remove a Bible verse posted on a cadet’s whiteboard after receiving a complaint from Mikey Weinstein at the Military Religious Freedom Foundation. The whiteboards are for personal as well as business purposes. At a House Armed Services Committee hearing that was supposed to focus on budget issues, Reps. John Fleming (R-Louisiana), Doug Lamborn (R-Colorado), Michael Turner (R-Ohio), Mike McIntyre (D-North Carolina), Randy Forbes (R-Virginia), and Michael Conaway (R-Texas) expressed concerns and questioned Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James and Air Force Chief of Staff General Mark Walsh about the incident.
Please call these representatives and thank them for their efforts to protect religious freedom in our military. Also, please watch for upcoming alerts on this issue.
John Fleming: 202-225-2777
Doug Lamborn: 202-225-4422
Michael Turner: 202-225-6465
Mike McIntyre: 202-225-2731
Randy Forbes: 202-225-6365
Michael Conaway: 202-225-3605
Senate
Senate focus this week was on a bill to extend aid to the Ukraine. During the bill’s markup in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, there were talks of adding provisions that would have, if passed, saved First Amendment rights for groups who are in danger of the administration’s proposed International Revenue Service (IRS) rule.
Click here for more information on the proposed IRS rule.
Despite the IRS provision being non-germane, or non-relevant to the topic of the bill, conservatives tried to negotiate one of their top priorities in exchange for Democrats offering one of their priorities, International Monetary Fund (IMF) provisions.
As of Friday, the IRS protections were not added, but the IMF provisions were advancing. Those opposed to the provisions highlight concerns with national sovereignty, while Secretary of State John Kerry urged Congress to approve reforms to the IMF.
Currently, the decision to add IMF is slowing down any effort of congressional assistance to the Ukraine during this crucial time with Russia. The Senate is expected to vote on an aid bill as soon as it returns from recess.
Action needed: Get our message out by becoming active on Twitter. To read how, click here.
Next week the Senate will be out of session.
We must continue to promote legislation that will protect vulnerable girls and women from domestic violence and sexual abuse, and provide justice by requiring the prosecution against violators. Both these amendments seek to do just that, by strengthening the existing U.S. Code on sexual abuse and domestic violence.
Click here for full letter.
On behalf of our 500,000 members nationwide, Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee (CWALAC) wishes to express our support for the Stop Targeting of Political Beliefs by the IRS Act of 2014, S. 2011. This legislation, introduced by Senator Jeff Flake (R-Arizona), would prohibit the Internal Revenue Services (IRS) proposed regulations from being implemented.
Click here to read the full letter.
Both the Senate and the House of Representatives were out-of-session this week.
House
While Members of Congress were in their districts, Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee (CWALAC) continued to meet with House staff on the Stop Targeting of Political Beliefs by the IRS Act of 2014, H.R. 3865. Since this legislation was only reported out of the Ways and Means Committee the week before, many staffers were unaware of the legislation. We highlighted the importance of prohibiting the IRS from finalizing its proposed regulation that would restrict first amendment rights of free speech for 501(c)(4) organizations. During several of these meetings, we had the opportunity to see the power of prayer. In one office, a staffer shared how his mother was a good friend of Linda LaHaye Murphy, who led her to the Lord on a trip to the Grand Canyon. Another office shared how they had a preacher on staff and started each morning in their Congressional office with prayer and a devotional.
Act: Please call your representative and ask him to support H.R. 3865. Click here to find your representative. And please continue to pray for your elected officials and their staff. Prayer changes things.
On behalf of the 500,000 Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee (CWALAC) members nationwide, I am urging you to cosponsor and support Senator Ted Cruz’s (R-Texas) State Marriage Defense Act. This legislation, in accordance with the Supreme Court’s decision in United States v. Windsor, affirms the right of states to define marriage for their citizens.
To read the full letter sent to the Senate, click here.
House
Stop Targeting of Political Beliefs by the IRS Act (H.R. 3865): The Ways and Means Committee favorably reported Rep. Dave Camp’s bill on Tuesday, February 11, along a party-line vote. This bill would prevent the IRS from finalizing a rule that would restrict 501(c)(4) organizations (like Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee) and silence our voices, in violation of our First Amendment rights. We expect this bill to be voted on by the entire House at the end of February.
Click here to read the letter we sent to the House.
Please call your representative today and urge him/her to support H.R. 3865. To find your representative, click here.
Marriage Week: This week is National Marriage Week. On February 11, Rep. Tim Huelskamp (R-Kansas) organized a special order to promote the importance for families of marriage between one man and one woman. The following representatives spoke on the floor: Michele Bachmann (R-Minnesota), Bradley Byrne (R-Alabama), Scott Garrett (R-New Jersey), Doug LaMalfa (R-California), Randy Weber (R-Texas), and Ted Yoho (R-Florida).
Senate
State Marriage Defense: Wednesday, Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Mike Lee (R-Utah) introduced the State Marriage Defense Act (S.2024). This bill counters the announced policy regarding marriage made by the Department of Justice (DOJ) which states that the U.S. federal government will recognize all same-sex unions, even in states that declare marriage as being between one man and one woman.
This decision by the DOJ violates states’ rights by taking the opinion from United States vs. Windsor made by the Supreme Court and extending it to states whose laws uphold traditional marriage.
To read CWALAC’s support letter, click here.
Action: Please call your senators at 202-224-3121 and urge them to cosponsor the State Marriage Defense Act, S. 2024. To find your senators, click here.
IRS Proposed Rule: Tuesday, Sens. Jeff Flake (R-Arizona) and Pat Roberts (R-Kansas) introduced the Stop Targeting of Political Beliefs by the IRS Act, S.2011, along with 37 additional senators; those offering their support include: Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky), Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), Sen. John Thune (R-South Dakota), and Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah).
This bill, like the one introduced in the House, seeks to prevent the IRS from enacting regulations that would silence Americans’ First Amendment rights.
To read CWALAC’s support letter, click here.
Debt Ceiling Increase: The Senate passed a debt ceiling increase this week, sending the measure to the president’s desk to be signed into law.
Many conservatives are disappointed with the way the debt ceiling talks have concluded. Currently, conservatives in both chambers, who have been fighting for cuts and accountability on spending, are finding their hands tied. The only real chance at addressing our growing 17-trillion-dollar debt is during the mid-term elections.
On behalf of our 500,000 members nationwide, Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee (CWALAC) wishes to express our support for the Stop Targeting of Political Beliefs by the IRS Act of 2014, H.R. 3865. This legislation, introduced by Ways and Means Chairman David Camp (R-Michigan), would prohibit the Internal Revenue Services (IRS) proposed regulations from being implemented.
To read the full version of the letter to the House of Representatives, click here.
