Abortion abolitionists, once considered a fringe extremist movement, are gaining political influence—pushing for laws that equate abortion with murder and call for prosecuting, even executing, those who seek or provide the procedure.
Pentagon Reverses Policy of Reimbursement for Abortion Travel—Fighting ‘Wokeness’ in the Military at the Expense of Service Members
The Pentagon’s decision to rescind abortion travel reimbursements—following Trump’s executive order enforcing the Hyde Amendment—has sparked fierce opposition from lawmakers and veterans’ advocates, who argue it endangers servicewomen and undermines military readiness.
Sen. Jean Shaheen condemned the move for sending a message that women in the military “are not as valuable as their male counterparts,” while Rep. Mikie Sherrill, a former Navy pilot, called it “deeply personal,” noting that if she were stationed in Texas or Florida today, she “wouldn’t have had healthcare.”
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America echoed these concerns, insisting that “those who are serving and sacrificing for us deserve so much more” than this “wrongheaded and out-of-touch” policy reversal.
Texas Banned Abortion. Then Sepsis Rates Soared.
ProPublica’s investigation reveals that Texas’ abortion ban has led to a sharp rise in life-threatening complications, particularly sepsis, for women experiencing pregnancy loss.
Since the ban’s enactment, the rate of sepsis during second-trimester pregnancy loss has surged by over 50 percent, and maternal deaths in Texas hospitals have increased significantly, even as the national maternal mortality rate declined. Doctors cite the law’s vague emergency exception and the threat of legal consequences as key reasons for dangerous delays in care.
While some Texas lawmakers now acknowledge the need for legal clarifications, the Republican-controlled legislature remains divided, with some pushing for even stricter abortion penalties.
Weekend Reading on Women’s Representation: N.M.’s Deb Haaland Is Running for Governor; Stacey Abrams to Keynote Democracy Solutions Summit
Weekend Reading for Women’s Representation is a compilation of stories about women’s representation.
This week’s Weekend Reading includes a piece by RepresentWomen staff members on women and the presidency, women and 2026 races for the Senate, Deb Haaland’s run for governor, women and mayoral races, the U.S. women’s soccer team, losses for women in the German elections, deep fake technology and women candidates, and a link to register for RepresentWomen’s virtual Democracy Solutions Summit from 3 to 5 p.m. EST, March 4-6, featuring an incredible lineup of women experts!
New York Times’ Shameful Reporting on Planned Parenthood Bolsters Right-Wing Attacks on Reproductive Healthcare Access
The New York Times recently published a 3,000-word investigative report claiming to have found “scores of allegations” against Planned Parenthood for misconduct, medical malpractice, mismanagement and labor violations. Released within a month of Trump’s inauguration, the article appears timed to provide ammunition for the ongoing right-wing attack on reproductive rights.
The NYT could have invested its significant resources into investigating how Planned Parenthood plays a unique and irreplaceable role in the U.S. healthcare system as the nation’s leading provider of sexual and reproductive healthcare and largest sex educator. By choosing to publish what reads as a hit job on Planned Parenthood at this political moment, while failing to devote any resources to investigating the opaque and unregulated antiabortion industry vying to defund and replace Planned Parenthood, the NYT has done a grave disservice to readers, especially women and girls who need reproductive healthcare.
Ten Warnings the New Gabby Petito Netflix Doc Reveals About Coercive Control
They were the “Insta-perfect” couple that captivated a nation.
But a new Netflix documentary American Murder: Gabby Petito includes text messages never seen before, journal entries, social media footage, family interviews and body cam video that give a foreboding picture of exactly what led to the 22-year-old’s death at the hands of Brian Laundrie.
It’s called coercive control—and this deeper dive into Gabby’s story serves as a five-alarm warning to everyone, and their loved ones, about red flags to look for in relationships.
Justice on Their Terms: Empowering Plaintiffs Through Anonymity
The day that a survivor of sexual abuse files a lawsuit is a difficult and painful day, but also one that starts a journey toward justice.
For many plaintiffs, stepping forward is not only the start of a legal proceeding but also an act of immense courage. It often involves sharing deeply personal and traumatic experiences with the court and, potentially, the public. This is why plaintiffs must have the option and privacy protection to have their cases filed under pseudonyms.
This issue is at the center of a recent high-profile case against Sean “Diddy” Combs, U.S. District Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil ruled that a woman suing under the pseudonym “Jane Doe” must reveal her real name or face dismissal of her lawsuit.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Is Effective and Popular—So Why Do Trump and Musk Want to Shut It Down?
President Donald Trump and Elon Musk are targeting the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), which is the government oversight agency charged with protecting consumers from unfair and unethical practices like predatory lending rates for everything from home mortgages to used cars, junk charges such as “resort” fees at fleabag hotels and surprise “processing fees” or “closing fees” that weren’t disclosed upfront for loans.
And it’s no mystery why; the CFPB has been effective. It has obtained nearly $20 billion in financial relief for U.S. consumers in the form of canceled debts, compensation and reduced loans since its founding.
Weaponizing Aid: How U.S. Policies Undermine Reproductive Health in Humanitarian Crises
U.S. policies like the global gag rule (GGR) have long restricted access to reproductive healthcare worldwide, but their impact on refugee women and girls in humanitarian crises is often overlooked. By cutting funding to NGOs that provide or even discuss abortion care, the GGR limits essential services such as contraception, post-abortion care, and maternal health support for millions of displaced women. In conflict zones and refugee camps, where healthcare is already scarce, these restrictions leave women without options, increasing the risks of unsafe abortions, maternal mortality and gender-based violence.
As the U.S. continues to wield foreign aid as a political tool, the lives of the world’s most vulnerable women hang in the balance.
Trump Administration Actions Are Sparking Nationwide Protests. Here’s How to Join the Next One.
Less than a month into Trump’s second term, tens of thousands across the country have taken to the streets to protest his administration’s anti-democratic policies. From major cities to small towns, demonstrators are rallying against mass layoffs in government watchdog agencies, the implementation of Project 2025, and pardons for Jan. 6 participants. The protests, largely organized by the grassroots group 50501, began on Reddit and have rapidly gained momentum, with more marches planned in the coming weeks. Here’s how you can get involved.