Statement By NOW President Toni Van Pelt:

The overhaul of Congress’ sexual harassment rules passed by the Senate is a good step in the right direction, but it leaves serious shortcomings that must be addressed in conference.

The Senate bill undermines the critical reform included in the House version that provides legal counsel to victims of sexual harassment. The Senate version explicitly prohibits the Congress’ legal advisor from providing legal advice once an individual has filed a claim, and imposes artificial time limits within which a staffer can file a complaint, among other flaws.

The Senate even goes so far as to use the phrase “unwelcome harassment.” Memo to lawmakers: harassment is never welcome.

There is much that the Senate bill gets right, and NOW congratulates legislators such as Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA) and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) for their leadership and diligence on this urgent issue. Women know that meaningful change takes time, and we’ll remain engaged, focused and determined to bring about the change that is so needed, and so overdue.

Contact

Dee Donavanik, press@now.org, 951-547-1241

Statement by NOW President Toni Van Pelt:

In a decision written by Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that employers can force workers into agreeing to mandatory arbitration when their bosses break the law. The 5-4 ruling in Epic Systems v. Lewis lets corporations off the hook by denying employees their day in court when they are victimized by wrongdoing in the workplace.

This is just the kind of secrecy that has insulated, enabled and protected men like Roger Ailes, Harvey Weinstein and multiple members of Congress. This ruling is the beginning of a series of cases in which deep pocketed corporate interests have been moving up through the courts now that Gorsuch, the deciding vote in this case, is on the bench.

According to the Economic Policy Institute, mandatory arbitration prevents nearly 30 million women from suing their employers over harassment. Attorney Debra Katz says,

“The confidential arbitration process is uniquely ill-suited to prevent and remedy sexual harassment, favoring employers and the harassers they protect. The proceedings prevent potential witnesses from learning of claims and coming forward to testify on behalf of victims or to join group actions.”

Congress must act to protect workers from predatory employers, sexual harassers and abusers. We need laws that help women stand together to fight sexual harassment in the workplace—instead of forcing them into the shadows.

Contact

Dee Donavanik, press@now.org, 951-547-1241

Statement by NOW President Toni Van Pelt:

The Trump Administration is scheduled to announce its plan to deliver on one of Donald Trump’s signature campaign promises—defunding Planned Parenthood. But that’s not the only harm the new federal rule would cause for women.

Donald Trump wants to change the Title X federal family program to deny federal funding to any clinic that provides abortions or refers patients to places that do—a transparent move directly aimed at Planned Parenthood. Of course, Planned Parenthood doesn’t use any federal funds for abortion—but to Donald Trump, groups that provide essential reproductive care to women are political footballs he can use to score points with his extremist base.

According to the Guttmacher Institute, thousands of other health care providers, mainly community health centers, would struggle to handle the increase in patients if Planned Parenthood had to turn them away. Planned Parenthood operates the sole clinic offering comprehensive contraceptive services in 105 counties in the U.S.

According to a new Quinnipiac poll, 62 percent of voters oppose cutting Planned Parenthood’s funding, while 31 percent are in favor of doing so. And 70 percent of Americans support Roe v. Wade, while 26 percent disagree with the court’s decision.

The Trump administration’s decision to cut funding to Title X highlights its’ complete and utter disregard for women, particularly women of color, uninsured women and low-income individuals. These new provisions not only strip women of their access to crucial reproductive services, its strips them of their autonomy and their right to choose.

NOW opposes this heartless and harmful rule, and we will oppose candidates in the coming election who are complicit in denying women their reproductive care rights. We proudly stand with Planned Parenthood and urge all those who support women’s rights to do the same.

Contact

Dee Donavanik, press@now.org, 951-547-1241