*** Democratic Leadership, Henry Waxman are reported to be negotiating with Bart Stupak. Better contact Rep. Waxman, along with Speaker Pelosi.
NO more compromises. Opponents and proponents of the President's HCR plan, who believe in preserving women's rights, or are just sick of the GRANDSTANDING should participate in this action.
This diary proceeds from several assumptions:
- STUPAK can be and must be STOPPED. No Stupak-lite. No Obama signing statement. !! (Are you kidding me?!)
- Women's rights to full citizenship is not a fringe special interest. Health Reform should not be perverted into an anti-abortion rights bill.
- Majority of Democratic voters and party activists agree with #2.
- The light of day and constituent action will peel off some of Stupak's "secret" supporters.
Members of the GANG-of-STUPAK aren't so secret. They're just hiding behind Bart, running under the radar. Name them and let the daylight in. Roll up your sleeves and follow me below the jump!
Toll free #s to Congress
800-828-0498
866.311.3405,
800.828.0498
866.338.1015,
866.220 0044
This is an action diary with contacts, arguments, back-up info and fact checking links, so YOU can easily lobby the DEMOCRATIC Representatives below who are threatening women's constitutional rights, using Health Insurance Reform as the vehicle. Don't let our Party negotiate them away for the greater good, until they are rights on paper only. Action: RSVP for the March in DC on 3/22 and remind everyone that abortion is legal and women are not going back.
- NAME them.
These House Democrats are willing to impose their personal religious beliefs about abortion on the rights of all Americans. If Democrats don't want to be on this list, just issue a statement. Accept the status quo on abortion rights in the Senate bill, and don't vote for Stupak-like language again. (Let me know if your Democratic Rep. should also be listed, with back up--I'll update.
A. Name them in their local, District press. Newspapers below. If some have been wrong in their coverage of Stupak and what the Senate language would do, as I think the Free Press has, correct them.
B. National media--Go to jhw22's Action diary for GREAT contacts.
- Supporting the Stupak amendment = supporting Bart Stupak.
Where's the House, investigation of Stupak's "C" Street residence -- years of rent subsidies from "The Family" -- non-reporting to House or IRS? Different treatment for Bart and Rangel? Stupak's House supporters have so far hidden behind him. Connect them.
- Primary them.
House Democrats who support further eroding women's rights should be primaried for that reason alone. Bart Stupak has already won himself a challenger, Connie Saltonstall . What about the rest? (Please report for UPDATES)
A. Connie's entering the race right now over the anti-abortion Stupak Amendment, and rapid show of public support for her reasons, demonstrates the best strategy for leaning on Stupak and his gang right now. Connie's website
MICHIGAN residents, call your Democratic Party offices and tell them you will support Connie and are looking for a primary challenge to Kildee too. 1st CD residents, sign Connie's petition! Connie's ActBlue page
2laneIA adds in a comment that in PA-16 pro-choice Lois Herr is primarying Republican Joe Pitts, the "Family" man, co-sponsor of Stupak-Pitts Amendment. Lois's ActBlue page Take note!
- Uncorrected lies about the Senate Language.
Stupak et al know full well that the Senate language preserves the status quo! They don't want the status quo. They are willing to block health insurance reform to further erode this right until it is a right on paper only. Slate, MsNBC (finally) and ABC News, have fact checked. Where are the rest? STUPAK has been LYING. Mostly uncorrected. News media, and his House supporters, should also feel the heat.
Fact-checking Stupak on abortion
1. Slate,
2. MsNBC
3. ABC News
OHIO, TEXAS, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, PENNSYLVANIA, MINNESOTA & ARKANSAS residents:
Contact these House Democrats, their district newspapers, and YOUR local Democratic party offices. Let them know that, while every American has the right to practice their own religious beliefs individually, supporting the Stupak amendment is a firing offence.
The Gang of Stupak:
Bart Stupak(202) 225 4735 (D-MI),
Dale Kildee(D-MI) (202) 225-3611,
Steve Driehaus(D-OH) (202) 225-2216,
Marcy Kaptur(D-OH) (202) 225-4146,
Charlie Wilson (D-OH) (202) 225-5705,
Paul Kanjorski (D-PA) (202) 225-6511,
Kathleen Dahlkemper (D-PA) (202) 225-5406,
Joe Donnelly(D-IN) (202) 225-3915,
Brad Ellsworth(D-IN) (202) 225-4636,
Dan Lipinski(D-IL) (202) 225-5701,
Jerry Costello (D-IL) (202) 225-5661,
Solomon Ortiz(D-TX)(202) 225-7742,
Henry Cuellar(D-TX) 202-225-1640,
James Oberstar(D-MN)(202) 225-6211,
Marion Berry(D-AR)(202) 225-4076
- Put Democratic Party Leaders on notice
Democratic Leadership in the House, Senate and White House must also hear that they will not be permitted to compromise away women's rights!
Startling religious interference
In a comment, Theran linked to a CNN story on the influence and lobbying by Catholic Bishops.
Pertinent paragraphs (emphasis added)
"It's come to this," said one bewildered senior Democratic lawmaker, speaking on condition of anonymity in order to discuss internal deliberations.
Anti-abortion Rep. Brad Ellsworth, D-Indiana, came up with compromise language that he said accomplished the goal of preventing taxpayer money from being used for abortions. Democratic leaders agreed to it, but the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops wrote a memo saying it leaves loopholes that could allow federal funds to go toward abortions.
Pelosi and fellow Democratic leaders are working behind closed doors, scrambling to forge a compromise.
Several Democrats, including Rep. Jason Altmire, D-Pennsylvania, said they are in touch with their Catholic bishops back home. Altmire said he must have the approval of his bishop in Pittsburgh before he can vote yes.
MICHIGAN NEWSPAPERS
Bart Stupak
Marquette The Mining Journal
906-228-2500 Letters form
Houghton Daily Mining Gazette
906-482-1500 Letters form
Escanaba Daily Press
906-786-2021 Letters form
Dale Kildee
Flint Journal
810-766-6100, letters @flintjournal.com or use Letters form
UPDATE: Roll Call reports that Kildee is backing away from Stupak.
OHIO NEWSPAPERS
Marcy Kaptur (D-OH),
Toledo Blade
Email to: letters @theblade.com
419-724-6000
Sandusky Register
Email letters to: regforum @sanduskyregister.com
419-625-5500
Steve Driehaus (D-OH),
Cincinnati Enquirer
513-721-2700 Letters form
Charlie Wilson (D-OH)
Akron Beacon Journal
330-996-3000 email letters to: vop @thebeaconjournal.com
PENNSYLVANIA NEWSPAPERS
Paul Kanjorski
Wilkes-Barre Times Leader(D-PA),
570-829-7100 Letters to: mailbag @timesleader.com
Scranton thetimes-tribune.com
570-348-9100 Email letters to: letters @timesshamrock.com
Kathleen Dahlkemper (D-PA)
Erie Times-News
814-870-1600 Email letters to: letters @timesnews.com
INDIANA NEWSPAPERS
Joe Donnelly (D-IN),
South Bend Tribune
574-235-616 Email letters to: vop @sbtinfo.com
Brad Ellsworth (D-IN),
The Indianapolis Star
317-444-8131 Letters form
Evansville Courier & Press
812-424-7711 Letters form
ILLINOIS NEWSPAPERS
Dan Lipinski (D-IL),
The Daily Herald
847-427-4300 Letters form
Jerry Costello (D-IL),
Belleville News-Democrat
618-234-1000 Letters: letters @bnd.com
Alton Telegraph
618-463-2500 Letters form
Carbondale The Southern Illinoisan
618-351-5000 Letters form
TEXAS NEWSPAPERS
Henry Cuellar (D-TX)
Austin American-Statesman
512-445-3500 Letters form
Solomon Ortiz (D-TX),
Corpus Christi Caller-Times
361-884-2011 Letters form
Brownsville Herald
956-542-4301 Letters form
MINNESOTA NEWSPAPERS
James Oberstar (D-MN),
Duluth News Tribune
218-723-5281 Letters form
Brainerd Dispatch
218-829-4705 Letters Form
ARKANSAS NEWSPAPERS
Marion Berry (D-AR)
Mountain Home Baxter Bulletin
870-508-8000 Letters form
Jonesboro The Sun
870-935-5525 Letters form
Other great diaries here
David Waldman on Stupak as a reconciliation time bomb
Ye Ye Ye On Bart Stupak working with Republicans to sink Health insurance reform
uberblonde About poor, young working class women, Stupak amendment and HCR
Detroit Mark About Stupak and The Family
thefourthbranch HCR whip count
Deaniac83 Stupak Action diary
Trial Lawyer Richard offers Action steps at OFA