“The heads of three prominent groups that advocate for women said today that Doug Jones’ victory in the Alabama Senate election will reverberate into the coming battles over tax cuts, abortion, birth control, health care, budget policy and entitlement spending—as well as the 2018 elections and women’s equality,” assert Toni Van Pelt, President of the National Organization for Women (NOW); Eleanor Smeal, Co-Founder and President of Feminist Majority; and Dr. E. Faye Williams, President and CEO of the National Congress of Black Women.
“Roy Moore may have lost this election–thanks to the principles and values of Alabama’s women and minority voters–but the campaign proved that Republicans will support any predatory, compromise any value, betray any principle and break any commitment in order to pass their right-wing agenda” continues Van Pelt.
“The GOP tax cut will do enormous harm, and we now know that the Trump Administration is preparing to next target recipients of food stamps, Medicaid and housing benefits.
“As Doug Jones prepares to take his seat in the Senate, we need to speak with one voice and hold the Republicans to account as they push for policies that turn back the clock and put women at risk.”
Eleanor Smeal, President of Feminist Majority, said, “Once again we see a huge gender gap with 17% more women voting for Jones than men. Turn out is everything, the amazing African American vote despite all obstacles and college students helped determine the outcome. The people of Alabama have spoken loud and clear: a grown man who preys on teenage girls is not a leader, he is a predator.
Dr. E. Faye Williams, President and CEO of National Congress of Black Women, said,
“Alabama voters, particularly voters of color, have struggled and fought for access to the ballot. Tonight, our voters have shown that they will not stand by and give a man as egregious as Moore the opportunity to sit in the US Senate. The American people are demanding a political and cultural change and tonight, Alabama voters stood on the right side of history.”