Martha McSally is dispensing advice to her fellow Republicans on how to speak to women. Her novel approach: Republicans need to watch their “language when we’re talking about some of these issues.” Of course, the “issues” McSally refers to include stripping a woman’s ability to control her body and healthcare decisions, refusing to ensure equal pay for equal work, and allowing healthcare companies to count being a woman as a preexisting condition. If Martha McSally believes these “issues” can be glossed over with new language, she is out-of-touch with mainstream America and has shamefully broken her promise to be an independent voice for Arizona’s 2nd District.
“Martha McSally has wasted no time in breaking her promise to be an independent voice and to fight for the equal treatment of women,” said DCCC Spokesman Tyler Law. “Since going to Washington, she has championed a reckless agenda that would make being a woman a preexisting condition, make it harder for women to get equal pay for equal work, and perversely interfere with a woman’s healthcare decisions, even in the case of rape and incest.”
McSally has already been ridiculed for avoiding the press and refusing to take positions on tough issues. Her previous campaigns show that she is hardly the person you want giving messaging guidance to the Republican Party. Unsurprisingly, Republicans aren’t making any improvements even with all this new advice. Just this week, Martha McSally and the Republican Leaders she takes her marching orders from canceled a commemorative coin to raise money for breast cancer research because anti-choice advocates said they didn’t like it.
BACKGROUND
McSally Voted To Block Consideration Of The Paycheck Fairness Act. In April 2015, McSally voted twice to block consideration of the Paycheck Fairness Act, a bill that would end the pay gap between men and women and unsure equal pay for equal work. “The legislation would protect workers from retaliation for sharing information about their wages, require employers to explain any pay disparities among workers performing the same job, and allow employees to seek unlimited punitive damages in wage bias cases.” The previous question passed 239 to 183. A vote against the previous question would have allowed the bill to be considered. [H. Res. 189, Vote #148, 4/14/15; H. Res. 200, Vote #154, 4/15/15; Bloomberg, 4/14/15; Congressional Record, 4/14/15; Democratic Leader – Previous Questions, 4/14/15]
McSally Voted To Restrict A Woman’s Right To Choose, Including Requiring 48-Hour Waiting Period For Rape Survivors. “The U.S. House of Representatives pushed through legislation creating new restrictions on abortion last week. The ‘Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act,’ sponsored by Arizona Congressman Trent Franks (R-CD8), passed 242-184 on a mostly party-line vote … Among Southern Arizona lawmakers, Republican Martha McSally voted in favor of the new restrictions.” According to The Hill, “But the bill did not change a provision that allows victims of incest to receive an abortion only if they are under 18 years old … The new version of the House bill also includes a two-day waiting period for rape victims. Doctors must also ensure that victims have received medical treatment or counseling during that time.” [HR 36, Vote #223, 5/13/15; The Hill, 5/13/15; The Hill, 5/11/15; Tucson Weekly, 5/19/15]
- McSally Voted Against Adding Exception To Anti-Choice Bill To Protect The Health Of The Mother. In May 2015, McSally voted against adding a woman’s health exception to a 20-week abortion bill. “U.S. Rep. Julia Brownley’s attempt to amend a bill calling for a ban on abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy was defeated Wednesday, and the House went on to pass the ban. The Westlake Village Democrat’s motion and amendment would have added language to the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act that would have permitted abortions after 20 weeks if a woman’s health were at risk. It was defeated on a mostly party-line 181-246 vote.” [H.R. 36, Vote #222, 5/13/15; Ventura County Star, 5/13/15]
McSally Voted For A Full Repeal Of The ACA, Which Would Roll Back Key Protections For Arizona Women. In February 2015, McSally voted, according to CQ, “to abolish the 2010 health care law in Congress’ first repeal vote of the year … The House has voted more than 50 times to roll back all or portions of the law.” [HR 596, Vote #58, 2/3/15; CQ News, 2/03/15]
- Repeal Could Lead To Women Being Charged Higher Premiums Than Men For The Same Coverage. “Currently, more than 30 states allow insurance companies to charge women of child-bearing age higher premiums for individual (non-job based) health insurance simply because they are women. This means that women pay higher health insurance premiums than men for the exact same coverage […] Obamacare ends this gender discrimination in premiums. Starting in 2014, insurance companies will be prohibited from charging women higher premiums than men for health insurance.” [Huffington Post, 11/05/12]
- The Affordable Care Act Prevents Insurance Companies From Denying Coverage For Mammograms, Cervical Cancer Screenings, Birth Control, And Other Women’s Preventive Health Services. Under the Act, The Department of Health & Human Services notes, “Through the Affordable Care Act, women’s preventive health care services – such as mammograms screenings for cervical cancer, and other services – are already covered.” Additionally, “[t]he law also required insurers to cover additional preventive health benefits for women…” including, “[c]ontraception and contraceptive counseling.” [Department of Health & Human Services, 8/01/11]