Reproductive Rights Prof Blog

24-Hour Waiting Period Halted by Florida Senate

Reuters: Abortion bill stalls in Florida Senate, by Michael Peltier:

A controversial measure requiring women to wait 24 hours before undergoing an abortion stalled on Monday in the Florida Senate, virtually ending the possibility of its passage before lawmakers adjourn later this week.

A procedural vote to bring the issue to the floor from committee failed on a 23-16 vote, less than the two-thirds needed in the 40-member chamber.

The failure makes the issue unavailable for further debate, while highlighting the divisions even among Republicans over a hot-button issue for social conservatives nationwide in this presidential election year. . . .

President Obama Calls Sandra Fluke To Offer Support

The Washington Post: Obama calls Sandra Fluke, Georgetown law student assailed by Rush Limbaugh, by Felicia Sonmez:

Wading further into an escalating contraception battle that has put Republicans on the defensive, President Obama on Friday called Sandra Fluke, the Georgetown University law student who this week was derided as a “slut” and a “prostitute” by conservative commentator Rush Limbaugh for her defense of rules mandating that employer-provided insurance plans cover the cost of birth control. . . .

Limbaugh Apologizes To Law Student, Sandra Fluke

TheHill: Limbaugh apologizes for 'slut' comments, by Jamie Klatell & Vicki Needham:

Conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh apologized Saturday for calling the woman who testified in favor of President Obama's contraception mandate a "slut" and a "prostitute."

Limbaugh had come under intense pressure from President Obama and Democrats, who rushed to support the Georgetown law student Sandra Fluke, as they sought to turn the conservative talker’s comments against the GOP. And Republicans had begun to distance themselves from his incendiary comments. . . .

Wilmington City Council Passes Satirical Sperm Personhood Resolution

The Huffington Post: Wilmington City Council Passes Resolution Urging 'Personhood' Rights For Sperm, by Luke Johnson:

The Wilmington City Council has a message for men -- sperm are people, too.

The council for Delaware's largest city passed a resolution by an 8-4 vote Thursday calling on the Delaware legislature, other state legislatures and the U.S. Congress to pass laws granting "personhood" rights to eggs and sperm. The resolution was authored by councilwoman Loretta Walsh as a protest in the current battle over women's health care access. . . .

Advertisers Pull Commercials in Wake of Rush Limbaugh's Sexist Attack on Law Student Sandra Fluke

The Huffington Post: Rush Limbaugh Advertiser Sleep Train Pulls Commercials In Wake Of Sandra Fluke 'Slut' Firestorm (UPDATE: More Companies Join), by Jack Mirkinson:

One of Rush Limbaugh's advertisers announced Friday that it was pulling all of its commercials from his radio show in the wake of Limbaugh's incendiary comments about a female law student and contraception. (UPDATE: Another advertiser announced it was also ending its commercials later on Friday. Scroll to the bottom to see.)

After being bombarded on Twitter, mattress store Sleep Train said that it would no longer advertise during Limbaugh's top-rated show following days of outrage over Limbaugh's statements about Sandra Fluke, a Georgetown student who was denied a chance to speak at a Congressional hearing about birth control. . . .

MSNBC covered the story:

 

Virginia Governor Poised to Sign Revised Pre-Abortion Ultrasound Bill

Chicago Tribune: Ultrasound mandate heads to Virginia governor's desk, by Matthew A. Ward (Reuters):

Virginia's Republican governor is poised to sign a law forcing women to have an ultrasound before an abortion after state lawmakers approved amendments on Thursday, sending the measure to his desk.

The controversial legislation requires a woman be offered the chance to view the ultrasound image, and holds that a copy of the image must be held in the woman's medical record at the abortion facility for seven years.

Lawmakers in the Republican-controlled House of Delegates approved the amendments on Thursday in a 61-35 vote. The amendments include making an invasive vaginal ultrasound optional in cases where fetal age cannot be determined with an abdominal ultrasound, which is usually the case in the first trimester of pregnancy, experts say. . . .

See also: The Washington Post: Abortion bill hurt McDonnell's V.P. prospects, by Robert McCartney

Senate Kills Republican Attempt to Undermine Obama's Contraceptive Coverage Policy

The New York Times: Senate Blocks G.O.P. Bill Opposing Contraception Policy, by Robert Pear:

The Senate on Thursday killed a Republican effort to let employers and health insurance companies deny coverage for contraceptives and other services to which they have religious or moral objections.

The vote was 51 to 48. In effect, the Senate upheld President Obama’s birth control policy. The policy guarantees that women have access to insurance coverage for contraceptives at no charge, through an employer’s health plan or directly from an insurance company. . . .