- The Senate passed the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act by a wide majority of 78-22 yet again. The measure first passed in 1994 was up for reauthorization in 2012; however, in April 2012 the Senate passed a similar bill, which failed in the House of Representatives due to measures added to extend protections to Native American women, undocumented immigrants and same-same sex couples. According to Politico, the 2013 bill has minimal changes besides dropping a portion that would “grant U visas to undocumented immigrant women who had been abused.” Here’s hoping this finally passes the House! [Politico]
- Reportedly there is some pressure from Republicans to get VAWA passed: Speaker John Boehner and Majority Leader Eric Cantor were sent a letter by 17 Congressmen from their own caucus urging them to “immediately reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act.” [NYMag.com Huffington Post]
- France’s legalization of same-sex marriage moved one step further: a measure extending marriage and adoption rights to gay couples passed the National Assembly 329-229. [CNN]
- It’s the 50th Anniversary of Betty Friedan’s The Feminine Mystique. This New York Times video looks at why women are still frustrated despite “having it all.” [New York Times]
- Yesterday an Arizona state law that according to Huffington Post, “banned Planned Parenthood from contracting with Medicaid” was struck down by a federal judge. This is the second state law of this kind to be nixed in court. In Indiana a federal appeals court overturned a similar law in October. [Huffington Post]
- In Virginia, there are two state bills floating around having to do with women and sterilization. According to Alex Stern a professor at University of Michigan writing for Huffington Post, the first would give reparations to women and families who were sterilized by the state between 1924 an d 1974. The second would end the 30 day required waiting period before, which women with no children (biological or adopted), were required to sit out before sterilization. [Huffington Post]
Contact the author of this post at Sarah.Gray@TheFrisky.com.
