National Organization for Women-NYS Applauds Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney

ALBANY, NY (02/19/2012)(readMedia)-- On 2/17/2012, Representative Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) stood up for women everywhere and demanded to know why the House of Representatives panel of witnesses at a hearing on birth control consisted of five men and NO WOMEN!

The Republican majority's hearing was called "Lines Crossed: Separation of Church and State. Has the Obama Administration Trampled on Freedom of Religion and Freedom of Conscience?" Maloney, who is a senior member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, opened the hearing by asking, "Where are the women?"

Maloney continued: "I look at this panel, and I don't see one single individual representing the tens of millions of women across the country that want and need insurance coverage for basic preventive health care services, including family planning. Where are the women?"

Asked about the panel, NOW-NYS President Marcia Pappas, remarked "Yesterday, today, and tomorrow, every woman in Congress should stand up and demand that women be represented. It is an outrage that there were no women on the panel. What a slap in the face to women in New York State and across this nation." Pappas added, "Where are the so called progressive male politicians? Why are they not standing in solidarity with women's rights?"

Pappas added: "NOW-NYS salutes and applauds Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney. She has been fighting for women's health needs since she was first elected to Congress, and as expected she is showing us why she has been so effective as a leader in the US Congress."

Pappas concluded: "Women and progressive men in New York should show their support for Congresswoman Maloney by supporting her efforts in the fight for women's equality."