Will George Allen dodge women's rights again tonight? Yes.

October 18, 2012

The Washington Post reports, "George Allen held no public events Wednesday, instead hunkering down to prepare for his fifth Senate debate against Timothy M. Kaine and their final one before Election Day. Kaine (D) stuck to plans to tour a Colonial Heights hummus plant that he had helped draw to the state as governor but also squeezed in time for debate practice. The two former governors, vying for the seat held by retiring Sen. James Webb (D), will meet for an hour-long debate starting at 7 p.m. Thursday at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg."

Progressive Point: Women's issues are economic issues and family issues. Like Mitt Romney, George Allen is hiding his record because he doesn't want to reveal his true priorities to Virginia families. Allen has refused to stand up for equal pay for equal work or condem legislation that puts politicians, not women and their doctors, in charge of health decisions.  Allen even supports federal personhood legislation that would criminalize some forms of birth control.

Women want the peace of mind of knowing they and their families will be able to get the health care they need. Twenty million women with private insurance have already taken advantage of the health care reform law's prevention benefits, including access to mammograms, contraception, and health check-ups without extra cost. But George Allen wants to repeal these common sense protections and put insurance companies back in control of your health care. If George Allen won't stand up for women while he's running for office, how can we ever expect him to do so in the Senate?

Get the Facts:

• At the previous debate last week, when asked about transvaginal ultrasound and personhood legislation George Allen refused to answer the question and "punted and pivoted." (Politico, October 8, 2012)


• Allen Maintained Silence On Lilly Ledbetter Act. Reported the Richmond Times-Dispatch in April 2012, "Democrats leapt at the soft endorsement, asking where Allen stood on the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, a law that helps women hold accountable employers who discriminate in the pay practices based on gender. . . . 'Allen should explain why he finds it easier to endorse Mitt Romney than he does standing up for the basic concept that women should receive equal pay for equal work,' said Del. Jennifer L. McClellan, D-Richmond." [Richmond Times-Dispatch, 4/17/12 ]


• Three Times, Allen Voted Against The Family And Medical Leave Act. As a Congressman, Allen voted three times against the Family and Medical Leave Act, which gives workers up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave to care for a newborn or sick relative." [AP, 11/2/2000; HR 2, Vote 393, 11/13/1991 ; S5, Vote 390,9/10/1992 ; S5, Vote 443, 9/30/1992 ]


• Allen: "[I] Support Legislation Declaring The Personhood Of Every Individual Life."[Allen website, "Virginia Values for Washington," accessed 7/1/11 ]


• After Personhood Legislation Passed VA House, Allen Campaign Said He Supported It. In February 2012, after personhood legislation passed in the Virginia House of Delegates, theTimes-Dispatch reported: " 'Does George Allen support the 'personhood' measure in the Virginia House of Delegates that is sponsored by his challenger, Delegate Bob Marshall?' Kaine's campaign asked in a press release. Later in the afternoon, Allen's campaign offered a simple answer: Yes. 'This measure is about protecting innocent unborn life. If a criminal hits a pregnant mother injuring or killing the unborn child, then there would be a cause of action for that child as well,' elaborated Allen spokeswoman Katie Wright. 'Democrats are desperately trying to make this a battle over contraceptives. As George Allen has often said he is opposed to the government prohibiting or banning contraceptives - and this bill doesn't do that,' she added." [Virginia Politics blog, Times-Dispatch, 2/14/12 ]


• Allen Supported The Blunt Amendment. In February 2012, after the Blunt amendment failed to pass in the Senate, George Allen announced his support for the amendment. Allen's spokesperson said, "While George Allen does not support banning contraceptives, Americans in this instance should not be forced to choose between following a government mandate or adhering to their own deeply held religious beliefs. The fact that we are even having this discussion shows the serious problems Obamacare imposes on Virginia families and small businesses, and it's another reason Tim Kaine should listen to the people of Virginia who want to see it repealed and replaced." The Washington Post described that the amendment, "would have rolled back the Obama administration's health coverage rule by allowing insurance companies and employers to opt out of covering prescriptions, such as contraceptions, or procedures they object to on religious or moral grounds." [Virginia Politics, Washington Post, 3/1/12 ]

Forward to a Friend via email

Share on Facebook

Tweet it: Will George Allen dodge women's rights again tonight? Yes. http://bit.ly/Vf5G9C via @ProgressVA