Planned Parenthood, Wisconsin National Organization for Women Endorse Russ Feingold

MIDDLETON – Today Planned Parenthood Action Fund and the National Organization for Women (WINOW) endorsed Russ’s bid for the U.S. Senate. Russ earned the endorsement of the nation’s leading provider and advocate for women’s health services and the Wisconsin chapter of the nation’s largest grassroots organization of feminist activists because of his staunch support of women’s reproductive rights, commitment to quality, affordable health care, and his record of championing pay equity and greater economic opportunity for all of Wisconsin’s women.

“Wisconsin women and families are so fortunate to have Russ Feingold running for Senate to advance and protect our health and economic well being,” said Tanya Atkinson, Executive Director of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin. “Unlike his opponent – Ron Johnson – who has worked to repeatedly to take away women’s access to essential, life saving health care, Russ Feingold has been a lifelong champion for women’s health,” said Atkinson.

“Russ Feingold understands the importance of pay equity, access to health care and smart family leave policies, said Jeanette Beschta, co-president of WINOW. “These are not just women’s issues; they are economic issues and family issues for millions of Wisconsinites. NOW is proud to support Russ and we look forward to working with him on these critical issues,” said Beschta.

“I am proud to stand with Planned Parenthood, Wisconsin NOW and the millions of Wisconsin women they serve and advocate for every year,” Russ said. “I fully support women’s reproductive rights and access to quality affordable health care. I firmly believe that we need to do more to ensure all of Wisconsin’s women and their families are have the opportunity to flourish. That’s why we not only need pay equity legislation, but we must also raise the minimum wage and guarantee paid family leave.”

While Russ has championed equal pay legislation and greater access to healthcare for Wisconsin’s women, Sen. Ron Johnson has voted to defund Planned Parenthood 7 times while in Washington. Johnson called his vote against women’s healthcare “a fun vote,” , claimed the Paycheck Fairness Act would do “more harm than good,” cosponsored a fetal personhood measure, and voted against reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act.

BACKGROUND:

December 2015: Johnson Voted For Bill That Blocked Federal Funding To Planned Parenthood. [CQ, 12/3/15; H.R. 3762, Vote 329, 12/3/15]

December 2015: Johnson Voted Against Removing Language Blocking Federal Funding To Planned Parenthood. [CQ,12/3/15; S.Amdt. 2885 to S.Amdt. 2874 to H.R.3762, Vote 314, 12/3/15]

December 2015: Johnson Voted To Block Federal Funding To Planned Parenthood. [CQ, 12/3/15; S.Amdt.2876 to S.Amdt.2874 to H.R.3762, Vote 311, 12/3/15]

September 2015: Johnson Voted For Cloture On Continuing Appropriations That Would Bar Use Of Funds For Planned Parenthood. [CQ, 9/24/15; H.J.Res.61, Vote 270, 9/24/15]

August 2015: Johnson Voted To Advance A Bill That Would Bar Use Of Funds For Planned Parenthood. [CQ, 8/3/15; S. 1881, Vote 262, 8/3/15]

April 2011: Johnson Voted To Bar Use Of Funds For Planned Parenthood. [CQ, 4/14/11; H.Con.Res. 36, Vote 60, 4/14/11]

March 2011: Johnson Voted For 2011 Republican Continuing Resolution.  [CQ, 3/9/11; H.R. 1, Vote 36, 3/9/11]

Continuing Resolution Blocked Funding To Planned Parenthood. “Eliminates Funding for the Title X Family Planning Program, Teen Pregnancy Prevention and Planned Parenthood H.R. 1 eliminates funding for the Title X program, which for more than 40 years has provided family planning services, breast and cervical cancer screenings, and other preventive health care to low-income women in need. Title X-funded health centers serve more than five million low-income women and men each year, and six in 10 women who obtain health care from a family planning center consider it to be their primary source of health care.” [National Women’s Law Center, 3/30/11]

Planned Parenthood Served 65,000 Patients In Wisconsin. [Planned Parenthood, 7/15]

Russ for Wisconsin

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.

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