An all-out assault on women’s reproductive health and rights continues in many state legislatures — a stark reminder that elections have consequences. The Tea Party has wormed its way into prominence on the state level, resulting in an avalanche of abortion restrictions on the state level. Now, 55 percent of women of reproductive age in the US live in states hostile to abortion rights, a dramatic 22 percent increase from 2000.
The disastrous 2010 elections saw Tea Party extremists flooding into the U.S. Congress. Although they campaigned on economic issues, once in office their first order of business was to begin blocking women’s access to abortion care, birth control, and other family planning services. So far they have been unsuccessful, and no nationwide restrictions have been made into law.
In October, Senate Republicans filibustered two highly qualified women nominees to the D.C. Circuit Court, Caitlin Halligan and Patricia Millett. Republicans are set to filibuster Nina Pillard’s nomination this evening, preventing another woman from sitting on the second most important court in the country.
By electing NOW-endorsed candidates Terry McAuliffe and Ralph Northam to the top offices in the state, voters ensured that Virginia can now be on a progressive path forward for women.
Without the votes of women, the only people ever to be elected President of the United States would be white, middle aged men.