Women and Children First

TNG Contributor Corey submitted the following post.

The Obama administration is already a week old - almost time to start thinking about the reelection, huh? - and for a political junkie such as myself it has been interesting to watch things unfold.

One observation I had is that the administration, as well as the new Congress, seem to be focusing their early legislation largely on policies blocked by the Bush administration that will benefit women. Yesterday saw the passage of SCHIP (State Children's Health Insurance Program) in the Senate, a move that will help not only low-income kids but also pregnant women - including legal immigrants - and a lot of single mothers.

Among Obama's first actions in office was rescinding the "Mexico City Policy," which prevented U.S. international aid from going to organizations that include comprehensive family planning services for women - i.e. those that provide information on abortion options. And yesterday, Obama signed his first piece of legislation as president: the Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which increases the rights of women to sue companies on the basis of wage discrimination.

After eight years of the Bush administration, I'm glad to see our government concerned with the health and rights of women in this country and abroad. You may recall that a few members of the TNG staff suggested last week that Obama take many of these same steps. Clearly we have the giant, adorable ear of the president.