Get the facts about the Stupak-Pitts Amendment and stay up to date with NOW's latest actions -- like the rally in Pennsylvania this Saturday!

Be sure to check NOW's website frequently for updates on ways you can take action to help save abortion rights in the health care reform legislation!

"Once again, women's reproductive rights are under attack in this country," said NOW President Terry O'Neill. "Anti-choice legislators are using health care reform as an opportunity to further restrict women's access to abortion. One such plunderer is Pennsylvania Representative Joseph Pitts, who co-authored an amendment to deny millions of women abortion coverage, and then when the Stupak-Pitts Amendment passed, Pitts voted against the main bill anyway."

The Senate may be voting on a "Hyde on steroids" amendment similar to Stupak-Pitts that would prevent millions of women from obtaining insurance coverage for abortion under health care reform. Floor debate begins next week, and senators are being pressured to accept this outrageous evisceration of Roe v. Wade in order to get reform legislation passed. It is not acceptable to achieve health care reform by pushing women back to the back alleys. The Senate must not adopt this House-passed amendment that would expand the Hyde Amendment (which prohibits federal funding of abortion, except in cases of rape, incest and threat to a woman's life). Please tell your senators Stupak-Pitts is not status quo and it is not okay.

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The Associated Press reports that Scott Roeder has confessed to shooting late-term abortion provider Dr. George Tiller in May at a Wichita church. Roeder told AP he intends to use the so-called necessity defense at his trial -- arguing he was protecting unborn children.

"The absurdity of his defense is insulting and dangerous to women, but it also reveals his terrorist methodology using murder to accomplish his political goals," says NOW President Terry O'Neill. "It is precisely this unrepentant domestic terrorism -- and those who fund it -- that must be stopped or else we will see more clinic violence and people will be killed," said O'Neill.

NOW is calling on the Obama Administration and the Justice Department to treat this as domestic terrorism, and use every aspect of anti-terrorism laws to prosecute Roeder and to find and stop his funders. We urge the administration to freeze the assets of people or organizations, domestic and international, who helped fund and supported Roeder's anti-choice activities.

Statement of NOW President Terry O'Neill:

The House of Representatives has dealt the worst blow to women's fundamental right to self-determination in order to buy a few votes for reform of the profit-driven health insurance industry. We must protect the rights we fought for in Roe v. Wade. We cannot and will not support a health care bill that strips millions of women of their existing access to abortion.

Birth control and abortion are integral aspects of women's health care needs. Health care reform should not be a vehicle to obliterate a woman's fundamental right to choose.

The U.S. House of Representatives is set to vote as early as this Saturday, Nov. 7, on the most important piece of health care legislation in more than four decades. While the Affordable Health Care for America Act, (H.R. 3962) is far from NOW's ideal health care reform bill, it is a necessary step towards repairing our failing, profit-driven health care system. We need you to act now by sending a message to your representative urging their support of the Weiner amendment for a national single-payer health insurance plan; failing that, members should support a stronger public insurance plan and, then finally to vote for adoption of H.R. 3962.

Statement of NOW President Terry O'Neill:

Tom Cable's history of violence against women raises a question: why is he still the head coach of an NFL team? Mr. Cable admits having battered his first wife, and he stands accused of battering two other intimate partners as well.

As a survivor of domestic violence, I know that women do not make such accusations lightly. Indeed, women have much more to lose than to gain by coming forward to tell their stories. The Oakland Raiders, properly, say they are undergoing a "serious evaluation" of these recent allegations. At the very least Mr. Cable should be suspended during this process. But I don't understand why he doesn't simply step down, admit he has a problem, and get some help. A man who had admitted battering his wife has no business being a role model for all of us who would like to be able to look up to the head coach of an NFL football team.

NOW PAC endorsed Terri Sewell, a candidate for the Congressional seat in Alabama's 7th Congressional District.

The National Organization for Women is extremely saddened by the rejection of fairness for same-sex couples in Maine, while cheering a victory in Washington state.

Last May, Maine ended marriage discrimination for same-sex couples by allowing them to marry. Last night, voters rejected that decision by taking away that right.

"This defeat is a painful setback for loving same-sex couples and their families in Maine, but the fight is not over," says NOW President Terry O'Neill. "NOW activists will continue the struggle to eliminate discrimination and realize the promise of equality and fairness."

Abortion rights opponents are continuing their tactics to stall major health care reform legislation and to press for even more restrictions that would make it impossible for women to obtain insurance coverage for abortion services. This effort threatens to derail an existing compromise known as the Capps amendment that was previously agreed upon in order to allow the health care reform bill to go forward. Tell your House member that you oppose any further changes to language relating to abortion services in health care reform and urge her/him to support this position as well.

NOW offers condolences to the family of Richard Schroeder, who died Thursday night. The death is being investigated as very suspicious, according to local police.

A retired U.S. marshal, Schroeder had provided protection to Dr. George Tiller, a heroic abortion provider who was murdered outside of his church in May.

Schroeder risked his own life to protect Dr. Tiller, and in doing so he ensured that women could exercise their fundamental right to safe and legal abortion. NOW honors and appreciates his legacy and we will closely monitor the developments of this case.

NOW's allies at SisterSong are holding their National Membership Meeting in Washington, D.C., Nov. 7-9, and you're invited! This year's theme is The Color of Power: Voices for Change. Join SisterSong for updates on the latest developments in the Reproductive Justice Movement, issue-based workshops for women of color and allies, capacity-building training, live performances, friends, fellowship, and fun!

In a campaign promise fulfilled, President Obama signed the first significant pro-lesbian, pro-woman, pro-disability rights legislation today. The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act expands the 1969 federal hate crimes law to include sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and disability.

"The Matthew Shepard Act is a significant victory for all of us," said NOW President Terry O'Neill, "I am thrilled that the dedication and hard work of our activists around the country have paid off."

Media Outlet: Aired 10/23/09 on NBC

Offense: Law & Order presented a physician who performs abortions as a murderer and advanced anti-reproductive rights propaganda.

NOW's Analysis: Law & Order loves to do "ripped from the headlines" stories, and this episode was clearly based on the recent assassination of Dr. George Tiller. The show outrageously implied that physicians like Dr. Tiller may be culpable in their own murders because they themselves are baby killers. The episode might have been titled "Dignity," but it did little to acknowledge the dignity of women and the service providers who risk their lives to provide safe and legal abortions.

The episode was loaded with anti-abortion sentiment and propaganda. Several of the supposedly pro-choice characters on the show were guilted into questioning their values. The plotline that included the doctor killing a baby after birth was purposely inflammatory -- an assault on Dr. Tiller's memory and quite possibly a provocation to zealots who need little encouragement to view all abortion providers as murderers.

You only need look at the comments on the NBC website to see that Law & Order hit the mark with the anti-choice crowd.

Take Action: Tell NBC what you think about the "Dignity" episode of Law & Order.

The federal Violence Against Women Act is set to be reauthorized next year and advocates are busy working on proposals for new measures increasing program effectiveness. With the national census of domestic violence services showing that there is a huge unmet need for more services, it is clear that VAWA funding must be dramatically increased. We will need to urge our senators and representatives to support improvements and increased funding. Let your voice be heard!

Abstinence-only education is dangerous and ineffective, and has no place in our health care reform legislation. But Senator Orrin Hatch's (R-Utah) abstinence-only-until-marriage amendment has been tucked in with the health care reform legislation -- and we need your help to strike it when it reaches Senate floor. Women everywhere need the Senate to support comprehensive sex education programs, not ideological crusades.

For years now, advertisers and fashion magazines have airbrushed photos to turn models into the latest beauty ideal. Women and girls are constantly bombarded with these artificial images -- fantasies they can't possibly live up to in real life.

That's why the NOW Foundation is celebrating its 12th annual Love Your Body Day on Oct. 21. This campaign is a giant shout out to the fashion, beauty, diet and advertising industries: No more fake images! Show us real women, diverse women, strong women, bold women. And to the women and girls who are targeted by messages telling them that the key to success and happiness is manufactured beauty, we say: It's okay to "Be You" -- the true you is beautiful.

Media Outlet: Aired on radio stations nationwide 10/8/09 - syndicated by Premiere Radio Networks, a subsidiary of Clear Channel Communications

The Offense: On his radio show, Glenn Beck had this to say about former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright: "Good heavens! I'm sorry I just looked up at Madeleine Albright and she's . . . [screaming and laughter] No, normally it burns our eyes out . . . and look at the neck skin on her . . . does she kind of look like a turkey? . . . look at her eyes and her nose. She looks like a turkey."

NOW's Analysis: No matter how accomplished a woman may be, she is always subject to ridicule, particularly where her appearance is concerned. Men can get as old and ugly and heavy as they want, but women are supposed to be sexually appealing at all times and at every age -- otherwise, watch out! Like Hillary Clinton, who Beck called a "stereotypical bitch," and Sonia Sotomayor, who he referred to as "Hispanic chick lady," it appears that Albright should not expect the same level of respect that men in those same positions are routinely granted. And that's just wrong.

The added irony here is that Glenn Beck recently bragged that more women were calling into his radio show and showing up at his book signings. He's been doing shows with moms because he claims that "it's the women, the moms, that I think truly have an idea of what's going on" in the U.S. Of course, Beck knows better than to insult these mothers and grandmothers with jabs at their appearance. But the fact is that he insults all women when he belittles Clinton, Sotomayor and Albright.

Take Action: Tell Kraig T. Kitchin, President and Chief Operating Officer of Premiere Radio Networks, what you think about Glenn Beck's sexist, ageist comments.

National Organization for Women activists, board members, staff and interns banded together to join the National Equality March, which NOW endorsed. Thank you to all those who came out to support us, who hosted local events, and who were with us all in spirit.

Every woman -- and every man -- deserves to work in a place where all employees are respected for their talents and skills. The National Organization for Women calls on CBS to recognize that Letterman's behavior creates a toxic environment and to take action immediately to rectify this situation. With just two women on CBS' Board of Directors, we're not holding our breath.

"Celebrity Culture Gone Haywire" Blurs Case, O'Neill Says

National Organization for Women (NOW) president Terry O'Neill said today that attempts to trivialize or dismiss criminal charges against film director Roman Polanski would undermine the message that sexual abuse is "Never OK."

"Powerful friends of Polanski and a scandal-hungry media are attempting to portray this as a 'Hollywood versus Middle America' story, to quote a headline from the L.A. Times," O'Neill said. "But this is an example of celebrity culture gone haywire. Polanki is a convicted criminal pedophile who raped a 13-year old girl, and fled the country to avoid serving his sentence. Making excuses for Roman Polanski is dangerous talk. What message does this send to victims and potential victims of sexual abuse today?"

NOW interns are on the front lines of the women's rights movement. Being a NOW intern is a commitment to apply skills learned during the internship to become an activist leader. The deadline for internships for the spring 2010 semester is November 1, so apply today!

Health care reform has been the hot topic for months now. Admidst all the political bickering, protests and town hall meetings, one thing is certain: The U.S. health care system is failing the people of this country. Millions of people are uninsured or under-insured. Many go bankrupt due to medicals costs. Women especially bear the brunt of the broken system because we are often the caretakers of the family, stay-at-home moms and the majority of part-time workers -- all of which do not come with a guarantee of health insurance.

NOW asked women to write to us with their health care stories, and we received hundreds of them. They are all moving, thoughtful and heartbreaking. Many of the stories will hit close to home, while some may make readers feel like they are one step away from ending up in the same fate.

Consideration of Senate Finance Committee Chair Sen. Max Baucus' (D-Mont.) proposed legislation to reform our broken health care system continues this week. Please send a message to your senators today urging them to oppose all restrictive amendments that would limit women's access to reproductive health care and to withdraw discriminatory provisions that would charge women (and men), aged 40 to 64, five times the average premium amount charged to younger persons. Also, stress the need for the legislation to offer a strong public health insurance plan; Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W. Va.) is set to soon offer an amendment that would establish a public health insurance plan.