There is a difference between the two main presidential candidates
The following was released from National NOW on Democratic candidate Al Gore and Republican candidate George W. Bush’s views on six different women’s issues:
Gore:
• Said: “I will protect and defend a woman’s right to choose. The last thing this country needs is a Supreme Court that overturns Roe v. Wade.”
• Opposes abortion procedure bans.
• In the Senate, Gore supported the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act and family planning funding.
• Opposed mandatory parental involvement in young women’s reproductive decisions.
Bush:
• Defines himself as pro-life, saying, “I will do everything in my power to restrict abortions.”
• Signed 18 anti-reproductive rights provisions into law as Governor of Texas.
• Supports parental notification, mandatory delays and abortion procedure bans.
• Opposes efforts to protect women and doctors from clinic violence and the use of public funds for abortion.
Gore:
• Supports hate crimes legislation that includes gender, race, color, religion, sexual orientation and disability.
Bush:
• Opposes all hate crimes legislation, referring to it as “special treatment of people.”
Gore:
• Supports lesbian and gay rights, stating that they are a matter of basic human civil rights.
• Is working to pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act.
Bush:
• Opposes the inclusion of sexual orientation in any civil rights or anti-discrimination laws.
• Supported a bill making it illegal for lesbians and gay men to adopt children.
Gore:
• Increased funding for the Equal Pay Initiative stating, “All women deserve equal pay for an equal day’s work.”
• Supports raising the minimum wage by $1 over two years.
• Supports affirmative action and equal opportunity programs.
Bush:
• Does not address equal pay, but does state that “Economics is more than narrow interests or organized envy.”
• Supports raising minimum wage only if states can opt out (making it meaningless).
• Opposes affirmative action programs, calling them “quotas.”
Gore:
• Proposes using the budget surplus to help keep Social Security solvent.
• Supports raising benefits for surviving spouses and employed women.
• Supports eliminating the penalty for parents who take time off to raise children.
Bush:
• Proposes spending surplus on tax cuts.
• Supports a privatization plan that would put retirees’ money at risk and would force lower benefits, a higher retirement age and/or eliminate cost-of-living increases.
Gore:
• Is fighting for a strong, enforceable Patients’ Bill of Rights and expanding eligibility under the Children’s Health Insurance Program.
• Supports greater prescription drug coverage to help seniors and people with disabilities.
Bush:
• Texas ranks at the bottom of the U.S. for both women and children without health insurance. Despite this, Bush fought efforts to expand coverage to children.
• Supports a national health plan that places the burden on the consumer.
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