FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 14, 2012
CONTACT:
Kaine for Virginia Press Office
(804) 359-7106
press@kaineforva.com
KAINE FOR VIRGINIA RELEASES RADIO AD COMPARING RECORDS, ACTIONS ON WOMEN’S HEALTH
Richmond, VA – Today, Tim Kaine released a new radio ad that contrasts Kaine’s support for measures that increase economic opportunity for women and protect their rights to make their own health care choices, with George Allen’s attempts to compromise women’s ability to make the health care decisions that are best for them and their families.
The sixty-second ad titled “Clock” notes Allen’s focus on divisive social legislation, including his commitment to bring so-called 'personhood' legislation to the federal level, that not only threatens to roll back the clock on women’s health care, but also distracts from efforts to address our fiscal challenges. “Some politicians would turn back the clock for women. Instead of creating jobs, they tried to tell women what they can and can’t do with their own bodies.”
“Throughout my career, I have always worked to expand economic opportunity for women in the Commonwealth. Whether it's support for equal pay legislation like the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act or ensuring that women are able to make their own health care decisions, I believe when women succeed it strengthens all our families and communities,” said Kaine. “While some in Washington have decided to focus on narrow social agendas that drive us further apart and would roll back decades of progress, I will never come between a woman and her doctor to make the choices that are right for them. Our country faces tough challenges to grow the economy and create jobs. It’s time for politicians to put aside divisive ideology that is bad for Virginia women and families.”
“Clock” is the third radio ad released by Tim Kaine following “Family Issues” that features his wife, Anne Holton, and the Spanish-language ad “Valores.”
Narrator:
Some politicians would turn back the clock for women. Instead of creating jobs, they tried to tell women what they can and can’t do with their own bodies.
Take George Allen, he’d allow employers to deny coverage to women employees for mammograms and contraception. He supports legislation that could outlaw some forms of contraception. Yet, he voted against family and medical leave, and opposes measures to give equal pay to women.
Tim Kaine has a different view. He supports family and medical leave and equal pay for women. It’s not just about right and wrong; it’s about economic opportunity for women, which helps all our families.
Kaine believes women can make their own health decisions, government should not intrude.
The difference is clear. George Allen would turn back the clock. Tim Kaine will move us forward.
Kaine: I’m Tim Kaine, candidate for U.S. Senate, and I approve this message.
Narrator: Paid for by Kaine for Virginia
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FEMALE VOICE: “Some politicians would turn back the clock for women. Instead of creating jobs, they tried to tell women what they can and can’t do with their own bodies.”
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Virginia’s “Controversial” Ultrasound Bill Went Into Effect Summer 2012. According to CBS News, “The controversial Virginia bill that requires women to undergo an ultrasound before having an abortion and incited a passionate national debate about women's health goes into effect on Sunday.” [CBS News, 6/29/12]
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FEMALE VOICE: “Take George Allen, he’d allow employers to deny coverage to women employees for mammograms and contraception.”
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Allen Supported The Blunt Amendment. The Washington Post Virginia Politics Blog reported, “Allen supports the Blunt amendment, campaign spokeswoman Katie Wright said.” [Washington Post, VA Politics Blog, 3/1/12]
American Cancer Society Opposed Blunt Amendment, Citing Concern It Would Allow Employers To Deny Coverage For Mammograms.The New York Times reported, “The lobbying arm of the American Cancer Society also opposed the Blunt amendment, saying it would allow employers to deny coverage of life-saving preventive services like mammograms and smoking cessation programs, based on ‘undefined religious beliefs or moral convictions.’” [The New York Times, 3/1/12]
Associated Press: Blunt Amendment Would “Roll Back President Barack Obama's Policy On Contraception Insurance Coverage.” [WRIC, ABC, 3/1/12]
CBS: “The Senate On Thursday Struck Down A Controversial Amendment That Would Allow Any U.S. Employer, Not Just Those Affiliated With A Religious Institution, To Deny Contraceptive Health Coverage To Its Employees Based On Religious Or Moral Objections.” [CBS, 3/1/12]
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FEMALE VOICE: “He supports legislation that could outlaw some forms of contraception.”
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Allen: “I Believe That Life Begins At Conception And Support Legislation Declaring The Personhood Of Every Individual Life.” [George Allen Campaign Website, Accessed 11/19/11]
Allen Has Backed Personhood At The Federal And State Levels. The Washington Post VA Politics Blog reported, “Allen backs so-called personhood legislation on conception on both the state and federal level, but he has steadfastly declined to take a position on the ultrasound measure. Virginia Democrats have accused Allen of ducking the issue. The state party issued a release Thursday morning suggesting that the former U.S. senator and governor was ‘scared to talk about women’s health.’” [Washington Post, VA Politics Blog, 3/1/12]
New York Times: “Personhood Amendments Bar Some Forms Of Birth Control That Prevent Fertilized Eggs From Being Implanted In A Uterus, Like IUD's.” The New York Times reported, “Some interpreted Mr. Romney's response to mean that he would support a personhood amendment like Mississippi ballot measure, to be voted on Tuesday. Specifically, personhood amendments bar some forms of birth control that prevent fertilized eggs from being implanted in a uterus, like IUD's and 'morning-after pills.'’” [New York Times, 11/4/11]
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FEMALE VOICE: “Yet, he voted against family and medical leave, and opposes measures to give equal pay to women.”
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Three Times, Allen Voted Against The Family And Medical Leave Act. As a Congressman, Allen voted three times against the Family and Medical Leave Act, which gives workers up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for family emergencies, including to care for a newborn or sick relative. [HR 2, Vote 393, 11/13/1991; S5, Vote 390, 9/10/1992; S5, Vote 443, 9/30/1992; CQ Floor Votes]
Allen Voted Against The Family And Medical Leave Act Because He Said It “Was A Burden On Businesses.” In October 2006, the Washington Post reported, “As a congressman, Allen voted against the Family and Medical Leave Act, which gives workers 12 weeks of unpaid leave for the birth of a child or to care for a sick family member. He said the bill, signed into law by President Bill Clinton in 1993, was a burden on businesses.” [Washington Post, 10/23/06]
Allen Refused To Support Paycheck Fairness Act.The Washington Post wrote, “Allen did not take a position on the controversial bill in the General Assembly to require women to undergo a vaginal ultrasound before getting an abortion, nor did he say how he would vote on the Paycheck Fairness Act considered by the Senate last month.” [Washington Post, 6/24/12]
The Washington Times: George Allen “Has Not Taken A Stand On The [Lilly Ledbetter] Legislation.” The Washington Times reported, “Mr. Romney stumbled last month when his campaign staffers were unable initially to say whether he supported the Lilly Ledbetter Act. . . . The issue already is popping up in multiple Senate races . . . Sen. George Allen, the front-runner for the Republican nod in the race, has not taken a stand on the legislation.” [The Washington Times, 5/30/12]
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FEMALE VOICE: “Tim Kaine has a different view. He supports family and medical leave and equal pay for women. It’s not just about right and wrong; it’s about economic opportunity for women, which helps all our families. Kaine believes women can make their own health decisions, government should not intrude. The difference is clear. George Allen would turn back the clock. Tim Kaine will move us forward.”
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Kaine Campaign Criticized Allen For Voting Against FMLA And Noted The Importance Of The Legislation For Virginia Families. A press release from the Kaine campaign said, “Two decades ago, George Allen had the opportunity to support legislation that provides women time off after childbirth or employees time off to care for a sick relative. What did George Allen say about the Family And Medical Leave Act to justify his vote against it? He said it was ‘harmful, interfering, counterproductive legislation.’ . . . ‘George Allen's failure to support the Family and Medical Leave Act, which ensures no parent will have to choose between caring for a sick child and their job, is yet another sign that he does not have the best interests of Virginia's families at heart,’ said Kaine for Virginia communications director Brandi Hoffine.” [Kaine For Virginia Press Release, 9/10/12]
Kaine Supported “The Federal Paycheck Fairness Act.” The Daily Press Shad Plank wrote, “Kaine also heralded the federal Paycheck Fairness Act which would help ensure women, who on average receive 70 cents on the dollar for their work compared to men, earn the same pay as their male counterparts. He said an important part of the legislation was making it legal for coworkers to discuss their salaries in order to compare them, despite many companies that have explicit policies forbidding employees from discussing their pay. ‘Something simple and common sense like that, I just don't think it's that hard of an issue.’ Kaine noted that Allen has not given a position on the issue in media interviews.” [Daily Press, Shad Plank, 6/12/12]
Kaine Supported The Lilly Ledbetter Act. At the 2010 DNC Summer Convention in St. Louis, Tim Kaine said, “But as we talk about — as we talk about what's at stake and what might be rolled back, let's just remember Republican officeholders and candidates all over this nation who are pledging to roll back women's rights, rights to reproductive freedom, rights to an equal day's pay for an equal day's work — 90 percent of Congressional Republicans voted against the Lilly Ledbetter Pay Act to give women equal pay for equal work. And if they get a majority, that's exactly the kind of policy you'll see them pursue.” [Federal News Service, DNC Committee Press Conference, 8/20/10]
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KAINE: “I’m Tim Kaine, candidate for U.S. Senate, and I approve this message.”
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FEMALE VOICE: “Paid for by Kaine for Virginia.”
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