Press Release
AAUW Action Fund Releases Congressional Voting Record and Voter Guides
Scorecard Shows Important Progress for AAUW Priority Issues
WASHINGTON – The American Association of University Women Action Fund released today a scorecard of congressional votes and voter guides on the issues that matter most to women and their families in the 2010 elections.
The AAUW Action Fund Congressional Voting Record for the 111th Congress outlines AAUW priority issues that saw legislative action in 2009 and 2010. A nonpartisan organization with members in every congressional district, the AAUW Action Fund also released voter guides for hotly contested Senate races, including those in Pennsylvania and Louisiana. Voter guides for House and gubernatorial races are also available to help the electorate make informed decisions, and additional guides will be added as Election Day draws near. These resources can be found at www.aauwaction.org.
In the 111th Congress, AAUW was instrumental in the passage of several pieces of legislation, including the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, health care reform, and increased student aid for higher education. AAUW is currently pushing for passage of the Paycheck Fairness Act, a critical piece of pay equity legislation that will help American women and their families.
"AAUW is largely pleased with the steps this Congress took to address American women's concerns over some of our nation's most serious problems, from economic security to affordable college education," said Executive Director Linda D. Hallman, CAE. "We were disappointed in provisions in health care reform that went too far in limiting women's access to reproductive care and in the slow pace of judicial nominations. But AAUW believes that as we continue to push for change and equality for women and girls, Congress will continue to respond. Right now that means the Senate must pass the Paycheck Fairness Act in November."
"The Congressional Voting Record highlights significant achievements of the past two years and is an excellent tool to hold our elected officials accountable this election season," said Lisa Maatz, AAUW director of public policy and government relations. "Our assessments of both the candidates and Congress can help inform the political debate and make sure voters are prepared when they cast their ballots. The AAUW Action Fund doesn't tell women how to vote, but we do encourage them to speak their minds and get involved in the political process to ensure that issues they care about get the attention they deserve. Pay equity and jobs are very much on the minds of women voters, and I suspect they'll vote their pocketbooks this fall."
The AAUW Action Fund Capitol Hill Lobby Corps, a group of AAUW members who lobby Congress each week it is in session, will make a special effort to thank members of Congress with a 100 percent voting record.
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The AAUW Action Fund advances equity for women and girls through member activism and voter mobilization. Since 1881, AAUW has been the nation’s leading voice promoting education and equity for women and girls. Both organizations have a nationwide network of 100,000 members and donors, 1,000 branches, and 500 college and university partners.
