Blogs Comment on Impact of Election, Ohio 'Heartbeat' Bill, Abortion Coverage for Servicewomen

November 13, 2012 — We've compiled some of the most thought-provoking commentaries from around the Web. Catch up on the conversation with bloggers from Care2, the Center for American Progress and more.

Reproductive Health Issues in the Election: "Conservatives Say Next Election Needs More Abortion, Rape Talk," Jessica Pieklo, Care2: "Social conservatives claim the answer to their electoral woes is to become more conservative, and that the answer to their shedding of women voters [is] to become more anti-woman," Pieklo writes. Susan B. Anthony List President Marjorie Dannenfelser suggested that "Romney took a weak position on abortion that set the tone for Senate candidates and caused those losses," Pieklo writes. She adds that "social conservatives have taken over the Republican party," concluding that "we can expect to see a whole lot more anti-contraception, anti-abortion rhetoric from the right despite these losses" (Pieklo, Care2, 11/10).

What others are saying about reproductive health issues in the election:

~ "VIEWPOINT: The Emerging Pro-Choice Majority," Zack Beauchamp, Center for American Progress' "ThinkProgress."

~ "Why Did Romney Lose? Conservatives Blame Single Women," Amanda Marcotte, Slate's "XX Factor."

OHIO ANTIABORTION LEGISLATION: "State Legislators Double Down on Most Restrictive Abortion Law in Nation," Mike Brickner, American Civil Liberties Union's "Blog of Rights": Brickner writes that Ohio lawmakers announced they might have reached a compromise on a bill (HB 125) that would "ban essentially all abortions in the state," meaning that the legislation could pass by the end of the year. "[W]hy are Ohio politicians now doubling down on the most radical abortion restrictions in the nation?" Brickner asks, adding, "Did they not see the election results or do they just not care about what women have to say?" He notes that "this isn't just about Ohio. Across the country, out-of-touch state legislators remain poised to push anti-abortion proposals" (Brickner, "Blog of Rights," ACLU, 11/10).

What others are saying about the Ohio antiabortion legislation:

~ "War on Women Continues: Ohio Revives Extreme Anti-Abortion Bill," Tara Culp-Ressler, Center for American Progress' "Think Progress."

ABORTION COVERAGE FOR SERVICEWOMEN: "Did You Know That Our Military Women Don't Have Abortion Covered in Cases of Rape and Incest? Veterans Are Working to Fix This," Sharon Levin, National Women's Law Center's "Womenstake": "Currently, federal law bans coverage of abortion for military women (and military dependents) who become pregnant due to sexual assault," but veterans are "working to get this unfair law changed," writes Levin, director of federal reproductive health policy at NWLC. An amendment to the National Defense Re-Authorization Act that would end the ban "passed out of Committee with a bi-partisan vote," but antiabortion-rights lawmakers have vowed to fight its inclusion in the final bill. Veterans who support the amendment say "that the first thing they had been taught was that it was their responsibility to 'take care of the troops," Levin writes, adding, "If we really want to honor these veterans, ... we have to stand with them" (Levin, "Womenstake," NWLC, 11/12).

HOUSE AND SENATE RACES: "A Historic Election for Women," Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Huffington Post blogs: In last week's historic election, "[n]ot only were women decisive in re-electing President Obama to a second term, but they helped usher in a record number of women into the halls of Congress," writes Gillibrand, who founded Off the Sidelines to get women involved in politics. She notes that the 81 women elected to the House and 20 elected to the Senate were "disproportionately Democratic, powered by an electorate galvanized ... in support of the expansion of economic opportunity for women as well as access to health care and trust in women to make their own health decisions." She adds, "Women bring different experiences and perspectives to bear on decision making, so I truly believe that as more women are elected, the better the outcomes will be for everyone" (Gillibrand, Huffington Post blogs, 11/9).

VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN: "Domestic Violence is Murder," Wendy Pollack, Huffington Post blogs: A recent report from the Violence Policy Center found that "most female homicides are committed by men who are or were in an intimate relationship with the victim," writes Pollack, director of the Women's Law and Policy Project at the Shriver Center. The VPC report and other research has found that the rate of domestic violence-related homicides is especially high in the black and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning communities. In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness month, Pollack urges Congress to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act. She writes, "Ending [violence against women] requires both community education to prevent violence as well as policies and programs that allow victims to receive the services they need and the justice they deserve" (Pollack, Huffington Post blogs, 11/9).

What others are saying about violence against women:

~ "Sexual Assault Survivors at Amherst College Speak Out With 'It Happens Here' Photo Series," Tyler Kingkade, Huffington Post blogs.