Women’s Constitutional Right to Contraception is Under Attack. WLG Signs onto Amicus Briefs in Two Important Cases

Women’s Constitutional Right to Contraception is Under Attack. WLG Signs onto Amicus Briefs in Two Important Cases

by | Jan 14, 2019 | Amicus Briefs, Issues

WLG signed onto Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and State of New Jersey v Donald J. Trump, et al.,  in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and The State of California, et al v Eric D. Hargan, in the US District Court for the Northern District of California.

Both these cases arise out of the attempt by the Trump Administration to permit employers that are not religious institutions to assert conscience-based objections to the contraceptive mandate under the Affordable Care Act.  If implemented, the Administration’s “Religious Exemption Rule” and the “Moral Exception Rule” would cause hundreds of thousands of women to lose contraceptive coverage. WLG had joined similar amicus briefs in these courts (also filed by the American Association of University Women and 12 additional professional, labor, and student associations) in support of plaintiff’s motion for a preliminary injunction against the Trump Administration’s interim rules. These cases address the final rules.   

The plaintiffs in the California case also include the following states: Connecticut, Delaware, DC, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia and Washington.

FILED CA AMICUS FILED PA AMICUS

WaPo editorial supports new Me Too law for Congress

by | Jan 4, 2019 | Issues

Congress finally passed a bipartisan bill to improve the procedure for addressing sexual harassment claims.  (House and Senate members will have to reimburse the Treasury for all future payments to settle sexual harassment claims ,and accusers will no longer be bound by mandatory confidentiality agreements.)  But WLG agrees with this Washington Post editorial that more needs to be done, including a procedure for Congress to address gender discrimination within their own ranks.  Read more here: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/congresss-new-sexual-harassment-law-is-a-major-step-in-the-right-direction/2018/12/30/7f58baec-ffcd-11e8-83c0-b06139e540e5_story.html?utm_term=.bf0604d0175d

Congress passes Me Too legislation

by | Dec 17, 2018 | Issues

An important update in the Me Too era: legislation to overhaul the handling of sexual harassment claims in Congress was passed by both chambers. Read more here: https://www.rollcall.com/news/politics/senate-passes-sexual-harassment-bill-unanimous-consent

WLGAN Delivers Third Letter re: Kavanaugh to Senate

by | Oct 4, 2018 | Issues

After watching Judge Brett Kavanaugh at the hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee last Thursday, Women Lawyers On Guard Action Network’s Board felt compelled to deliver yet a third letter to all U. S. Senators.

WLGAN’s first letter outlined the substantive positions that Judge Kavanaugh has taken in the past that we believe signal a judicial view that will very likely adversely impact women.  The second letter called upon the Senate Judiciary Committee to hold a full and non-partisan hearing regarding Professor Blasey Ford’s sexual assault allegations.

The third letter (link HERE) points out to the Senate that Brett Kavanuagh’s demeanor and responses at the Senate Judiciary Hearing (which is still not the full investigation of the allegations against Brett Kavanaugh that we called for) indicates a grave lack of  judicial temperament especially for a position on the Supreme Court.

The Senate vote is scheduled for Friday, October 5.  We urge you to express your opinion to your Senators and, if you are in DC on Thursday, October, 4th, to attend a rally at 12:30 PM at the Barrett Prettyman Courthouse- 333 Constitution Ave, NW.

Thank you!