Republican House Leaders Launch New War on Women

Republicans propose massive cuts in programs that benefit women as they propose increases in Defense spending of $8.1 billion. The House begins consideration of the Continuing Resolution (CR) for funding FY 2011 without which the government will shut down on March 4. Republicans would eliminate Title X domestic family planning programs with a massive cut of $327 million which is what President Obama is requesting in his 2012 budget. International family planning would be cut 32% from FY 2010 spending levels and 38% from the President's 2012 request. To make matters worse, Republicans explicitly forbid any of this funding go to UNFPA while the President would designate $55 million of these funds to UNFPA in 2011.

"House Republicans are revealing that their utter contempt for women's programs and their lack of concern for children in these inhumane so-called budget cuts. Every dollar for family planning saves an estimated four dollars of unplanned governmental spending. If you are not going to spend money on family planning, on children's education, adequate food and nutrition for poor and pregnant women, you will spend more money on health care and prison programs," responded Eleanor Smeal, President of the Feminist Majority.

While proposing wiping out domestic family planning, Republicans are drastically cutting, by $758 million, the Women Infant Children (WIC) program which provides food and nutrition for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women. The Republican bill also includes a proposed $210 million cut in Maternal and Child Health block grants and $1.83 billion cut in Head Start from 2010 spending levels and $2.27 billion from the President's 2011 request. The Republicans would also cut dramatically Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) funding by $170 million.

A vast coalition of women's rights, civil rights, domestic violence, and health groups including the Feminist Majority, Planned Parenthood Federation of American (PPFA) NARAL, National Organization for Women (NOW), National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) are determined to fight these Republican draconian measures.

Media Resources: Americans for UNFPA Press Release 2/12/11; Moveon.org Website 2/14/1; National Coalition Against Domestic Violence Action Alert 2/14/11; Feminist Daily Newswire 2/10/11; Statement of Cecile Richards 2/9/11

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