December 2007 by Marian Starkey

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December 2007 VOL. 39, ISSUE 3

Special 2007 Congressional Report Card Issue

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from the president

Any increase in knowledge or good will

Recently, we lost three such long-

“yes” whenever he could. The

is a gain to all who are affected by it, not

time members: Patricia Smith of Santa

Washington Post reported that, “He

only to the actual possessor. Those who

Cruz, Steven Kahn of Carmel, and

worked at the Carnegie Institution’s

feel the joy of life are happiness to oth-

John Firor, a longtime resident of

Department of Terrestrial Magnetism in

ers as well as to themselves. Bertrand Russell, Political Ideals

Boulder. It has been said that wealth is

Washington in the late 1950s, where

the ability to fully experience life. By

he said the policy manual was con-

that sound standard, Pat Smith, Steven

tained on a 3-inch-by-5-inch card:

As we begin to come to grips with the

Kahn, and John Firor all rank among

‘1. Don’t spend money we don’t have,

devastating impact we are visiting on

the wealthiest people I’ve ever known.

and 2. Don’t work with high voltages

this planet, more people will hopefully

Steven Kahn, 96, was also wealthy

if you are alone.’”

see the need to address population

in the more conventional sense of the

growth. I was especially pleased by the

word. He shared that wealth with so

life. When I first visited the cozy,

comments made by former President

many others, including our organiza-

comfortable abode she kept with her

Bill Clinton (see inside back cover). He

tion. He cared about our planet, about

husband, Kirk, I felt instantly at home.

“gets it.” I hope other leaders will

young people, and about our

Pat was a teacher, an athlete (she won

echo his call to action on population.

Constitution. Recent conversations

her last race at age 87), and a constant

Certainly, former vice president Al

Patricia Smith, 89, richly embraced

with him, always lively, would range

volunteer for many good causes,

Gore is doing great work. And I’m

from music to politics to Madison

including ZPG/Population Connection

optimistic we’ll elect a president who

Avenue. Back in 1941, Steven Kahn

in Santa Cruz. In 1973, Pat and Kirk

will act swiftly to repeal the Global

spent $266.66 of the Bonneville Power

joined the Peace Corps and served in

Gag Rule, restore funds for UN family

Administration’s dollars to hire a young

Ghana—just one part of a lifelong

planning, and appoint wise women

Oklahoman for a month as an “infor-

commitment to giving. They followed

and men to run vital programs.

mation consultant.” Some consultant!

up their service by trekking around

Woody Guthrie used that time to write

Europe in a VW bus, the unofficial

26 songs.

ZPG vehicle of that era.

It’s going to take even more than that, however, if we’re serious about breaking our foolish habits and patterns.

John Firor, 80, directed the National

Their families and their many friends

Global warming is the challenge of a life-

Center for Atmospheric Research from

will miss John, Pat and Steven. I am

time. It will call on all our talents.

1968 to 1974. He was among the first

richer for having known each of them.

Many Population Connection mem-

to sound the alarm about global

bers are in the forefront of efforts to

warming. He brought great wisdom to

use sound wisdom and good works to

ZPG’s board where he served alongside

heal our planet. Their good will and

his late wife, Judith Jacobsen. I recall

their joy of life, to use Bertrand

John Firor saying that he saw his role

Russell’s words, benefit us all.

as asking tough questions, then voting

John Seager john@popconnect.org

Correction: In the Fall 2007 issue in the PopEd section, page 23, the activity calls for the student to calculate emissions for his/her family. It then says to multiply it by 300 million to get the total emissions for the country if everyone used the same amount of carbon. There should have been a step to calculate individual emissions from the family total because there are not 300 million families in the United States.

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Volume 39, Issue 3 December 2007 Cover: United States Capitol Building at Night. Photo: © L. Clarke/Corbis

Pg. 5-18

The 2007 Congressional Report Card

Pg. 20-21 U.S. Population Spreading Like Wildfire

by Stacie Murphy and Kandis Wood

by Marian Starkey

D E PA RT M E N T S

COLUMNS

2-3 PopPourri

Washington View

In the News

Field & Outreach

Remark

PopEd

Printed on recycled paper www.popconnect.org

December 2007 — The Reporter

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2 The Reporter — December 2007

PopPourri Compiled by Sarah Burstyn, Communications Fellow, and Marian Starkey, Communications Manager. All photos courtesy of Photoshare. A small boy rummages through trash in Kibera, Africa's largest slum in Nairobi, Kenya, where most people live below one dollar per day. Photo: © 2005 Felix Masi/Voiceless Children

This small boy picks through the garbage at a dump outside Manila. Garbage and poverty are on the increase in the Philippines, partly because of their rapid population increase. Photo: © 2000 Liz Gilbert/David and Lucile Packard Foundation

Every year of a mother’s education corresponds to 5 - 10% lower mortality rates for children under 5. Every three years of additional education correlates with up to one child fewer per woman. Population Institute

Nearly half the people on the planet—most of them in China and India—don’t have a system to safely dispose of human waste and keep it away from areas where people can come into contact with it. National Resources Defense Council

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The cutting of trees and unsustainable management of forests leads to the loss of nearly 36 million acres of natural forests each year—an area bigger than the state of New York. World Wildlife Fund

In Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa, 40% of the population lacks access to safe water. National Resources Defense Council

www.popconnect.org

December 2007 — The Reporter

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In the News Volume 39, Issue 3 December 2007 Managing Editor Marian Starkey Contributors Stacie Murphy, John Seager, Marian Starkey, Mae Stevens, Allison Sullivan-Bashinsky, Kandis Wood, Erin Zimmer Graphic Artist Lindsay Raue

Population Connection Overpopulation threatens the quality of life for people everywhere. Population Connection is the national grassroots population organization that educates young people and advocates progressive action to stabilize world population at a level that can be sustained by Earth’s resources. The Reporter (ISSN 0199-0071) is published by Population Connection 2120 L Street, NW, Suite 500 Washington, D.C. 20037 Phone: 202-332-2200 or 1-800-767-1956 Fax: 202-332-2302 Email: info@popconnect.org Website: www.popconnect.org Board Chair Patricia Burke President John Seager

RWANDA: PROGRESSIVE AFRICAN LEADER By Allison Sullivan-Bashinsky, Field and Outreach Fellow

In sharp contrast to the genocide that swept through Rwanda thirteen years ago, the country is now stepping forward as a leader in family planning. The government of Rwanda will implement policies used in Thailand from 1965-1990 to reduce their population growth to a more sustainable level. The fertility rate is currently 6.1 children per woman; without intervention, the population would double by 2030. President Paul Kagame is working with American and other international specialists to develop an effective program. The current family planning program is funded by the $6 million from USAID that Rwanda receives. The biggest components of the new program will be supplying Norplant II to every health center in the country and giving family planning information to every patient visiting a clinic, regardless of her ailment. Children will also receive comprehensive sex education in school. The government aims to reach their goal of zero population growth as early as 2015. Officials are soliciting support for the program from African philanthropists, who they want to fund the entire initiative. Disapproval from the Catholic Church over the new program has not occurred as expected, although Rwanda is a largely Catholic country. Sources: A. Rosenfield & J. Ruxin, “To Ensure Health and Increase Growth, Bring Population Under Control,” The Huffington Post, October 26, 2007, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/allan-rosenfield-and-josh-ruxin/to-ensurehealth-and-incr_b_70073.html. S. Kinzer, “After So Many Deaths, Too Many Births,” The New York Times, February 11, 2007.

OUR DOT By Erin Zimmer, Population Education Program Assistant

Most demographers project that the world’s population will surpass 9 billion by 2050. What will happen to our planet if they are correct? How are we, as humans, shaping Earth’s future? Andrew Revkin, an environmental science reporter for The New York Times, examines ecological issues related to 4 The Reporter — December 2007

population in his blog, “Dot Earth.” Revkin links current events on topics like biodiversity, travel, and energy emissions to human population growth and sustainability. Each entry provides opportunities for readers to comment, making the blog interactive. The tagline of “Dot Earth” is “Nine billion people. One planet.” Revkin poses questions that engage readers, such as whether it is worth the carbon emissions produced by flying to become more globally minded. His entry entitled “The Population Cluster Bomb?” included an interview with Joseph Chamie, former head of the United Nations Population Division. While Chamie has no doubt that population growth will continue, he is more optimistic than many that humans will change their ways and limit their consumption of resources. “With regard to the energy situation, the food, the technology, they’re all very promising. I’m rather optimistic. The path is clear. There’s no secret recipe that people are keeping hidden from you like Coca-Cola. We know the recipe for development. We just have to implement it.” Sources: A. C. Revkin, “Dot Earth” [blog on the Internet]. New York: The New York Times, 2007. Available from: http://dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com.

TEXAS HAS HIGHEST REPEAT TEEN BIRTH RATE By Marian Starkey, Communications Manager

Texas receives $17 million in federal funding for abstinence-only education, almost twice the amount of the next-best-funded state, Florida. Texas also has the highest rate of births to teens who already have a baby, at 24%. The national average for repeat births to teens is 20% and it’s under 15% in many New England states. Part of the discrepancy is due to the higher rate of abortion in northern states. However, it is clear that abstinence-only programs are not preventing teens from having sex, and worse, are failing to prepare teens for safe sex. Sources: J. Swedish, “Texas Ranks Number One in the Nation for Abstinence-Only Funding and Births to Teen Mothers. What’s Wrong with this Picture?” National Women’s Law Center [blog], http://nwlc.blogs.com/womenstake/2007/11/texas-ranks-num.html.. Washington, D.C. November 7, 2007. S. Jayson, “Repeat Teen Births Highest in Texas at 24%” USA Today, October 24, 2007.

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2007 CONGRESSIONAL

report card Year in Review:

Increased Support, Limited Progress House & Senate Voting Records:

How Do Your Members Compare?

Compiled by Stacie Murphy Senior Fellow, Government Relations Kandis Wood Stanback Research Intern

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congressional report card

YEAR IN REVIEW An Opportunity for Change The House of Representatives recorded four votes on population issues in 2007. Members rejected attempts to restrict overseas AIDS funds to abstinence-only programs and cut Title X money to Planned Parenthood, and adopted measures designed to loosen the restrictions of the Global Gag Rule and create medical

PROACTIVE BILLS SUPPORTED

accuracy standards for domestic abstinence-only programs.

BY POPULATION CONNECTION, INTRODUCED IN THE 110TH CONGRESS:

The Senate, in contrast, recorded only two votes on population issues. However, by voting 53-41 to repeal the Global Gag Rule, the Senate did go further than the House, which only voted to allow certain exemptions.

Global Democracy Promotion Act: This act would repeal the Global Gag Rule. (H.R. 619)

The gag rule denies U.S. funding to any international family-planning organization that provides abortion-related services, counseling, or engages in political advocacy on the issue of liberalizing abortion laws, even if the organization does not use U.S. money for any of these actions. Like the House, the Senate also rejected an attempt to deny funds to Planned

REAL Act:

Parenthood.

This act would provide states with annual grants to promote responsible sex education that is medically accurate,

In 2007, pro-family planning members in both chambers introduced five important bills of interest to the population community: the Prevention

scientifically sound, and addresses

First Act, the Global Democracy Promotion Act, The Responsible Education

the advantages of abstinence while

About Life Act, the Unintended Pregnancy Reduction Act, and the Access

educating youth about contraception. (H.R. 1653/S. 972)

to Birth Control Act. With the exception of the Global Democracy Promotion Act in the Senate, there have not yet been votes on these measures. Instead, we have included information on co-sponsorship of

Access to Birth Control Act:

these bills in this Report Card. Co-sponsorship is one of the best ways a

This act would prohibit pharmacy

member can express strong support for a particular piece of legislation.

employees from threatening, harassing, or interfering with a woman’s purchase of contraceptives, including emergency contraception. (H.R. 2596/S. 1555)

Why We Publish the Report Card As a grassroots organization, Population Connection needs you, our members and supporters, to tell your legislators how important population issues are and to hold them accountable for their votes. The goal of our nonpartisan 2007 Congressional Report Card is to give you an easy way to access the voting and co-sponsorship records of your senators and representatives. With the information contained here, you can see how well they represent you on the issues that you care about.

Remember—they work for YOU! The 2007 Congressional Report Card is neither an endorsement nor a condemnation of any member of Congress.

6 The Reporter — December 2007

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congressional report card

2007 HOUSE VOTING OVERVIEW

1. Funding for Abstinence-Only Programs

5. Prevention First Act

The House rejected this amendment offered to the State Department Foreign Operations Appropriations bill (H.R. 2764) by Representative Joseph Pitts (R-PA). The amendment would have required that one-third of the money allocated to the President’s Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) be spent on abstinence-only programming overseas. The vote occurred on June 21, 2007:

Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-NY) introduced the Prevention First Act (H.R. 819) in the House. The act intends to expand preventative healthcare services that help reduce unintended pregnancies, reduce abortions, and improve access to women’s healthcare. This measure was introduced on January 4, 2007. It currently has 160 co-sponsors.

POPULATION CONNECTION URGED A VOTE OF:

YES

200

226

2. Funding for Family Planning Representative Mike Pence (R-IN) offered an amendment to the Labor/HHS/Education Appropriations bill (H.R. 3043) that would have banned Planned Parenthood from receiving federal funding under Title X. As the nation’s largest provider of reproductive health services to low-income women, Planned Parenthood relies heavily on Title X funding for support. The vote occurred on July 19, 2007:

POPULATION CONNECTION URGED A VOTE OF:

YES

189

231

3. Contraceptive Exemption to Global Gag Rule Representatives Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Bart Stupak (D-MI) introduced this amendment to the State Department Foreign Operations Appropriations bill (H.R. 2764). The amendment would have repealed a new provision exempting shipments of U.S.donated contraceptive supplies from the provisions of the Global Gag Rule. The vote occurred on June 21, 2007:

POPULATION CONNECTION URGED A VOTE OF:

YES

205

218

6. Global Democracy Promotion Act Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY) introduced the Global Democracy Promotion Act (H.R. 619). The GDPA would repeal the Global Gag Rule. The act was introduced on January 22, 2007. It currently has 66 co-sponsors.

7. Responsible Education About Life Act Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) introduced the Responsible Education About Life Act (H.R. 1653). The REAL Act would provide states with annual grants to promote responsible sex education that is medically accurate, scientifically sound, and addresses the advantages of abstinence while educating youth about contraception. Also included as a part of the Prevention First Act, REAL was introduced as a stand-alone bill on March 22, 2007. It currently has 77 co-sponsors.

8. Unintended Pregnancy Reduction Act Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY) introduced the Unintended Pregnancy Reduction Act of 2007 (H.R. 2523). The act would amend the Social Security Act to expand access to contraceptive services for men and women under Medicaid, helping low income couples to prevent unintended pregnancies. The act was introduced on May 24, 2007. It currently has 6 co-sponsors.

4. Medical Accuracy in Abstinence Programs

9. Access to Birth Control Act

As part of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (H.R. 3162), the House made substantial changes to Title V abstinence-only program funding. The bill allows states to have greater flexibility in how they spend the money, requires that programs be medically accurate, and requires that abstinence-only programs prove their effectiveness to be eligible for continued funding. The vote occurred on August 1, 2007:

Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) introduced the Access to Birth Control Act (H.R. 2596). The ABC Act would prohibit pharmacy employees from threatening, harassing, or interfering with a woman’s purchase of contraceptives, including emergency contraception. The act was introduced on June 6, 2007. It currently has 55 co-sponsors.

POPULATION CONNECTION URGED A VOTE OF:

YES

congressional report card

YES

225

204

2007 SENATE VOTING OVERVIEW

1. Repeal of the Global Gag Rule

3. Prevention First Act

Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) offered an amendment to the State Department Foreign Operations Appropriations bill (H.R. 2764, as amended) that repealed the Global Gag Rule. The vote occurred on September 6, 2007:

Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) introduced the Prevention First Act (S. 21). The act was introduced on January 4, 2007. It currently has 33 co-sponsors.

POPULATION CONNECTION URGED A VOTE OF:

YES

4. Unintended Pregnancy Reduction Act

YES

2. Funding for Family Planning Senator David Vitter (R-LA) offered an amendment to the Labor/HHS/Education Appropriations bill (H.R. 3043, as amended) that would have banned Planned Parenthood from receiving federal funding under Title X. The vote occurred on October 18, 2007:

POPULATION CONNECTION URGED A VOTE OF:

www.popconnect.org

YES

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) introduced the Unintended Pregnancy Reduction Act (S. 1075). UPRA was introduced on March 29, 2007. It currently has 8 co-sponsors.

5. Responsible Education About Life Act Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) introduced the Responsible Education About Life Act (S. 972). Also included as a part of the Prevention First Act, REAL was introduced as a stand-alone bill on March 22, 2007. It currently has 13 co-sponsors.

6. Access to Birth Control Act Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) introduced the Access to Birth Control Act (S. 1555). The ABC act was introduced on June 6, 2007. It currently has 8 co-sponsors. December 2007 — The Reporter

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congressional report card

n/v

2 Terry Everett (R)

– – –

3 Mike Rogers (R) 4 Robert Aderholt (R)

5 Robert “Bud” Cramer, Jr. (D) n/v 6 Spencer Bachus (R) 7 Artur Davis (D)

– +

– – – n/v

– +

– – – – + – +

29 Adam Schiff (D)

+ + + + + + + + + + + + – + – – + – – – + + +

30 Henry Waxman (D)

n/v

31 Xavier Becerra (D)

+ + + + + +

7 George Miller (D) 8 Nancy Pelosi (D) 9 Barbara Lee (D) 10 Ellen Tauscher (D) 11 Jerry McNerney (D) 12 Tom Lantos (D)

•

13 Fortney “Pete” Stark (D) 14 Anna Eshoo (D) 15 Michael Honda (D)

ALASKA

Don Young (R)

+ – – –

16 Zoe Lofgren (D) 17 Sam Farr (D) 18 Dennis Cardoza (D)

ARIZONA

1 Rick Renzi (R) 2 Trent Franks (R) 3 John Shadegg (R) 4 Ed Pastor (D) 5 Harry Mitchell (D) 6 Jeff Flake (R) 7 Raúl Grijalva (D) 8 Gabrielle Giffords (D)

– – – + + – + +

19 George Radanovich (R) 20 Jim Costa (D) 21 Devin Nunes (R)

• •

•

22 Kevin McCarthy (R) 23 Lois Capps (D) 24 Elton Gallegly (R)

• • • •

25 Howard “Buck’’ McKeon (R) 26 David Dreier (R) 27 Brad Sherman (D) 28 Howard Berman (D)

ARKANSAS

1 Marion Berry (D) 2 Vic Snyder (D) 3 John Boozman (R) 4 Mike Ross (D)

+ + – +

32 Hilda Solis (D) 33 Diane Watson (D) 34 Lucille Roybal-Allard (D)

CALIFORNIA

1 Mike Thompson (D) 2 Wally Herger (R) 3 Dan Lungren (R) 4 John Doolittle (R) 5 Doris Matsui (D) 6 Lynn Woolsey (D)

+ – – – + +

8 The Reporter — December 2007

+ – – – + +

+ • – – – + • • • + • • •

35 Maxine Waters (D) 36 Jane Harman (D) 37 Laura Richardson (D)

38 Grace Napolitano (D) 39 Linda Sánchez (D) 40 Ed Royce (R)

n/v n/v

+ + + + + + + n/v

+ + – + – – + – – – + + + + + + + + + n/v

+ + n/v + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + – – + + – – – – + + – – – – – – + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

• •

9. Access to Birth Control

8. Unintended Pregnancy

7. Responsible Education

6. Global Democracy

5. Prevention First Act

3. Contraceptive Exemption

4. Medical Accuracy

CALIFORNIA cont.

2. Family Planning Funding

1. Funding for Abstinence-only Programs

9. Access to Birth Control

8. Unintended Pregnancy

7. Responsible Education

6. Global Democracy

n/v

5. Prevention First Act

– + – – + – +

4. Medical Accuracy

2. Family Planning Funding

Jo Bonner (R)

3. Contraceptive Exemption

ALABAMA

1. Funding for Abstinence-only Programs

2007 HOUSE VOTING RECORD

•

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

•

• • •

• • • • • • • • • •

• • •

•

• • • • • • •

• •

•

n/v n/v n/v n/v

+ + + + • + + + + • – – – –

•

• •

Page 17

47 Loretta Sanchez (D)

n/v

48 John Campbell (R)

51 Bob Filner (D)

– – – +

52 Duncan Hunter (R)

n/v

53 Susan Davis (D)

42 Gary Miller (R) 43 Joe Baca (D) 44 Ken Calvert (R) 45 Mary Bono (R)

49 Darrell Issa (R) 50 Brian Bilbray (R)

1 Jeff Miller (R) 2 F. Allen Boyd, Jr. (D)

•

3 Corrine Brown (D) 4 Ander Crenshaw (R) 5 Ginny Brown-Waite (R) 6 Cliff Stearns (R)

•

7 John Mica (R) 8 Ric Keller (R) 9 Gus Bilirakis (R) 10 C. W. Bill Young (R)

• • •

•

11 Kathy Castor (D) 12 Adam Putnam (R)

• • •

•

13 Vern Buchanan (R) 14 Connie Mack (R) 15 Dave Weldon (R)

COLORADO

1 Diana DeGette (D) 2 Mark Udall (D) 3 John Salazar (D) 4 Marilyn Musgrave (R) 5 Doug Lamborn (R) 6 Thomas Tancredo (R) 7 Ed Perlmutter (D)

+ + + – – – +

+ + + – –

+ + + – – n/v – + +

+ • + • + – – – + •

16 Timothy Mahoney (D) 17 Kendrick Meek (D) 18 Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R) 19 Robert Wexler (D) 20 Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D) 21 Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R) 22 Ron Klein (D) 23 Alcee Hastings (D) 24 Tom Feeney (R)

CONNECTICUT

1 John Larson (D) 2 Joseph Courtney (D) 3 Rosa DeLauro (D) 4 Christopher Shays (R) 5 Christopher Murphy (D)

+ + + + +

+ + + • • + • • • • + •

25 Mario Diaz-Balart (R)

Michael Castle (R)

1 Jack Kingston (R) 2 Sanford Bishop, Jr. (D)

4 Hank Johnson (D)

+ + + –

5 John Lewis (D) 6 Tom Price (R) 7 John Linder (R)

www.popconnect.org

– – – + + + n/v + + – – n/v + – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – + + + – – – – – – – – – – – – + + + + + + – – – + + + + + + – – – + + + + + + – – – – – –

– + – + + – –

9. Access to Birth Control

•

• •

•

• •

GEORGIA

3 Lynn Westmoreland (R) DELAWARE

– + + – – – – – – – + – – – – + + – + + – + + – –

8. Unintended Pregnancy

FLORIDA

7. Responsible Education

9. Access to Birth Control

8. Unintended Pregnancy

7. Responsible Education

6. Global Democracy

– – + – – – + – – – + – +

+ – + –

5. Prevention First Act

– – + – n/v + – – + n/v – – – – – – n/v + – n/v + +

2. Family Planning Funding

4. Medical Accuracy

46 Dana Rohrabacher (R)

– – + – – –

41 Jerry Lewis (R)

3. Contraceptive Exemption

CALIFORNIA cont.

1. Funding for Abstinence-only Programs

•

6. Global Democracy

n/v

Supported Population Connection position Opposed Population Connection position No vote recorded Co-sponsored Population Connection-endorsed legislation

5. Prevention First Act

+ –

3. Contraceptive Exemption

KEY

4. Medical Accuracy

2:21 PM

2. Family Planning Funding

12/4/07

1. Funding for Abstinence-only Programs

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– + – + + – –

– + • – + • + • • • – –

December 2007 — The Reporter

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congressional report card

8 Jim Marshall (D) 9 Nathan Deal (R) 10 Paul Broun (R)

11 Phil Gingrey (R) 12 John Barrow (D) 13 David Scott (D)

– n/v – – – – – – n/v n/v n/v – – – – – – + + + + + + + •

19 John Shimkus (R)

1 Peter Visclosky (D) 2 Joe Donnelly (D)

•

3 Mark Souder (R)

5 Dan Burton (R)

HAWAII

2 Mazie Hirono (D)

+ + + • • • + + + + • •

n/v

• •

6 Mike Pence (R) 7 Julia Carson (D) 8 Brad Ellsworth (D) 9 Baron Hill (D)

IDAHO

1 William Sali (R) 2 Mike Simpson (R)

– – – – – – n/v –

2 Dave Loebsack (D)

ILLINOIS

2 Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D) 3 Dan Lipinski (D) 4 Luis Gutierrez (D) 5 Rahm Emanuel (D) 6 Peter Roskam (R) 7 Danny Davis (D) 8 Melissa Bean (D) 9 Janice Schakowsky (D) 10 Mark Kirk (R) 11 Jerry Weller (R) 12 Jerry Costello (D) 13 Judy Biggert (R) 14 J. Dennis Hastert (R) 15 Timothy Johnson (R) 16 Donald Manzullo (R) 17 Phil Hare (D) 18 Ray LaHood (R)

+ + + + + – + + + + – + + – – – + –

+ + – + + – + + + + – – + – – – + –

10 The Reporter — December 2007

+ + – + + – + + + + – – + – – – + –

+ + + + + – + + + – – + – – – – + +

9. Access to Birth Control

8. Unintended Pregnancy

7. Responsible Education

6. Global Democracy

5. Prevention First Act

4. Medical Accuracy

2. Family Planning Funding

+ – – – – – + – +

+ – – – – – + • – –

+ + + – –

+ • + • • + • – –

– + + –

– + + • • –

– – + – – +

n/v

– – + • – – + •

•

IOWA

1 Bruce Braley (D)

1 Bobby Rush (D)

– – – –

INDIANA

4 Steve Buyer (R)

1 Neil Abercrombie (D)

3. Contraceptive Exemption

ILLINOIS cont.

1. Funding for Abstinence-only Programs

9. Access to Birth Control

8. Unintended Pregnancy

7. Responsible Education

6. Global Democracy

5. Prevention First Act

4. Medical Accuracy

2. Family Planning Funding

GEORGIA cont.

3. Contraceptive Exemption

1. Funding for Abstinence-only Programs

2007 HOUSE VOTING RECORD

• •

3 Leonard Boswell (D) 4 Tom Latham (R) 5 Steve King (R)

• •

•

KANSAS

1 Jerry Moran (R)

•

• • • • • • • • •

2 Nancy Boyda (D) 3 Dennis Moore (D) 4 Todd Tiahrt (R)

KENTUCKY

1 Edward Whitfield (R)

•

2 Ron Lewis (R) 3 John Yarmuth (D) 4 Geoff Davis (R) 5 Harold Rogers (R)

•

6 Ben Chandler (D)

– + – – +

•

Page 19

2 William Jefferson (D) 3 Charlie Melancon (D) 4 Jim McCrery (R) 5 Rodney Alexander (D) 6 Richard Baker (R) 7 Charles Boustany, Jr. (R)

– + + – – – –

+ – – – – –

+ – – – + + – – – – – + + + +

– – – – – – – – – – – + + + +

+ – – – + – – – – – – + + + +

•

• • • • • • • •

+ – + + + – – +

+ – + + + – – –

+ – – + • • • + • • – + +

2 Peter Hoekstra (R) 3 Vernon Ehlers (R) 4 Dave Camp (R) 5 Dale Kildee (D) 6 Fred Upton (R) 7 Tim Walberg (R) 8 Michael Rogers (R) 9 Joseph Knollenberg (R)

MAINE

1 Thomas Allen (D) 2 Michael Michaud (D)

+ + + + • • • + + + + •

•

10 Candice Miller (R) 11 Thaddeus McCotter (R) 12 Sander Levin (D) 13 Carolyn Kilpatrick (D)

MARYLAND

1 Wayne Gilchrest (R) 2 C. A. “Dutch” Ruppersberger (D) 3 John Sarbanes (D) 4 Albert Wynn (D) 5 Steny Hoyer (D) 6 Roscoe Bartlett (R) 7 Elijah Cummings (D) 8 Chris Van Hollen, Jr. (D)

+ + + + + – + +

– + + + + – + +

14 John Conyers, Jr. (D)

• • • • • • •

15 John Dingell (D)

2 John Kline (R) 3 Jim Ramstad (R)

•

4 Betty McCollum (D) 5 Keith Ellison (D) 6 Michele Bachmann (R)

MASSACHUSETTS

1 John Olver (D) 2 Richard Neal (D) 3 James McGovern (D) 4 Barney Frank (D) 5 Marty Meehan (D) 5 Niki Tsongas (D)

6 John Tierney (D) 7 Edward Markey (D) 8 Michael Capuano (D) 9 Stephen Lynch (D) 10 William Delahunt (D)

www.popconnect.org

+ + + + +

+ • • • + + • • + • • n/v • •

•

+ + + + +

2 Bennie Thompson (D)

• • • • • • •

•

• • •

•

• •

MISSISSIPPI

1 Roger Wicker (R)

n/v n/v n/v n/v

+ + + + +

7 Collin Peterson (D) 8 James Oberstar (D)

• •

•

MINNESOTA

1 Tim Walz (D)

• • •

9. Access to Birth Control

– – – – + – – – – – – + + + +

1 Bart Stupak (D)

8. Unintended Pregnancy

MICHIGAN

7. Responsible Education

9. Access to Birth Control

8. Unintended Pregnancy

– + • + – – – –

7. Responsible Education

– + – – – – –

6. Global Democracy

n/v

5. Prevention First Act

3. Contraceptive Exemption

1 Bobby Jindal (R)

4. Medical Accuracy

LOUISIANA

2. Family Planning Funding

1. Funding for Abstinence-only Programs

•

6. Global Democracy

n/v

Supported Population Connection position Opposed Population Connection position No vote recorded Co-sponsored Population Connection-endorsed legislation

5. Prevention First Act

+ –

3. Contraceptive Exemption

KEY

4. Medical Accuracy

2:21 PM

2. Family Planning Funding

12/4/07

1. Funding for Abstinence-only Programs

Reporter-CRC Final#2

3 Charles “Chip’’ Pickering, Jr. (R) 4 Gene Taylor (D)

– – – + + + n/v – n/v – – –

– + – –

December 2007 — The Reporter

Reporter-CRC Final#2

12/4/07

2:21 PM

Page 20

congressional report card

7 Roy Blunt (R) 8 Jo Ann Emerson (R) 9 Kenny Hulshof (R)

7 Michael Ferguson (R) 8 Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D)

•

9 Steven Rothman (D) 10 Donald Payne (D) 11 Rodney Frelinghuysen (R) 12 Rush Holt (D) 13 Albio Sires (D)

2 Steve Pearce (R)

MONTANA

– – – –

3 Tom Udall (D)

NEBRASKA

1 Jeff Fortenberry (R) 2 Lee Terry (R) 3 Adrian Smith (R)

– – – – – – – – – – – –

1 Tim Bishop (D) 2 Steve Israel (D) 3 Peter King (R)

5 Gary Ackerman (D)

NEVADA

2 Dean Heller (R) 3 Jon Porter (R)

+ + + + • – – – – – – – –

•

6 Gregory Meeks (D) 7 Joseph Crowley (D) 8 Jerrold Nadler (D) 9 Anthony Weiner (D) 10 Edolphus Towns (D)

NEW HAMPSHIRE

1 Carol Shea-Porter (D) 2 Paul Hodes (D)

+ + + + • + + + + •

11 Yvette Clarke (D) 12 Nydia Velázquez (D) 13 Vito Fossella (R) 14 Carolyn Maloney (D)

NEW JERSEY

1 Robert Andrews (D) 2 Frank LoBiondo (R) 3 Jim Saxton (R) 4 Christopher Smith (R) 5 Scott Garrett (R) 6 Frank Pallone, Jr. (D)

9. Access to Birth Control

8. Unintended Pregnancy

7. Responsible Education

+ + + + – + +

6. Global Democracy

– + + + + + +

• • • • • • • • • • • • • •

– + – – – – – – + + + + •

NEW YORK

4 Carolyn McCarthy (D)

1 Shelley Berkley (D)

– + + + + + +

NEW MEXICO

1 Heather Wilson (R)

Dennis Rehberg (R)

– + + + + + +

5. Prevention First Act

8. Unintended Pregnancy

7. Responsible Education

6. Global Democracy

5. Prevention First Act

9. Access to Birth Control

•

4. Medical Accuracy

6 Sam Graves (R)

+ • • – + • • • + + – – – –

2. Family Planning Funding

5 Emanuel Cleaver (D)

+ – + – + – – – –

3. Contraceptive Exemption

4 Ike Skelton (D)

+ – + – + – – – –

NEW JERSEY cont.

1. Funding for Abstinence-only Programs

3 Russ Carnahan (D)

4. Medical Accuracy

2 Todd Akin (R)

+ – + + + – – – –

2. Family Planning Funding

1 William Lacy Clay (D)

3. Contraceptive Exemption

MISSOURI

1. Funding for Abstinence-only Programs

2007 HOUSE VOTING RECORD

+ – – – – +

12 The Reporter — December 2007

+ – – – – +

+ + – – – +

15 Charles Rangel (D) 16 José Serrano (D) 17 Eliot Engel (D) 18 Nita Lowey (D) 19 John Hall (D) 20 Kirsten Gillibrand (D)

+ + – + + + + + + + + + – + + + + + + +

+ + – + + + + +

+ + – + + + + + n/v + + + + n/v + + – – + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

• • • •

• •

• • • • • • • • • • • • • •

•

• • • • • • •

• • • • • •

•

Page 21

23 John M. McHugh (R) 24 Michael Arcuri (D) 25 James Walsh (R) 26 Thomas Reynolds (R) 27 Brian Higgins (D) 28 Louise McIntosh Slaughter (D) 29 Randy Kuhl (R)

• • • •

6 Charlie Wilson (D) 7 David Hobson (R) 8 John Boehner (R)

•

9 Marcy Kaptur (D) 10 Dennis Kucinich (D) 11 Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D)

• • • •

12 Patrick Tiberi (R) 13 Betty Sutton (D) 14 Steven LaTourette (R) 15 Deborah Pryce (R) 16 Ralph Regula (R)

NORTH CAROLINA

1 G. K. Butterfield (D) 2 Bob Etheridge (D) 3 Walter Jones, Jr. (R) 4 David Price (D) 5 Virginia Foxx (R) 6 Howard Coble (R) 7 Mike McIntyre (D) 8 Robin Hayes (R) 9 Sue Myrick (R) 10 Patrick McHenry (R) 11 Heath Shuler (D) 12 Melvin Watt (D) 13 Brad Miller (D)

+ + – + – – – – – – – + +

+ • – – + • • • – – – – – – – + + • •

17 Tim Ryan (D) 18 Zack Space (D)

•

Earl Pomeroy (D)

1 John Sullivan (R) 2 Dan Boren (D) 3 Frank Lucas (R) 4 Tom Cole (R) 5 Mary Fallin (R)

OHIO

1 Steve Chabot (R) 2 Jean Schmidt (R) 3 Michael Turner (R) 4 Jim Jordan (R) 5 Paul Gillmor (R)

www.popconnect.org

+ – – + + + – + – – – + +

n/v

– – – –

– – – – +

– – – –

– – – – –

+ – + + +

+ + + + +

+ – + + +

+ + – + –

+ + – – –

+ • + • • • • – + –

• •

9. Access to Birth Control

– – – – + + – + – + – + +

•

• •

•

OREGON

1 David Wu (D)

•

2 Greg Walden (R)

4 Peter DeFazio (D)

+ + + +

– + – + + + – + – + – + +

OKLAHOMA

3 Earl Blumenauer (D) NORTH DAKOTA

+ + – + + + – + – – – + +

8. Unintended Pregnancy

OHIO cont.

7. Responsible Education

9. Access to Birth Control

+ + – + – – + + –

8. Unintended Pregnancy

+ + – + – – + + –

7. Responsible Education

+ + – + – + + + –

6. Global Democracy

+ + – + – – + + –

5. Prevention First Act

3. Contraceptive Exemption

22 Maurice Hinchey (D)

4. Medical Accuracy

21 Michael McNulty (D)

2. Family Planning Funding

NEW YORK cont.

1. Funding for Abstinence-only Programs

•

6. Global Democracy

n/v

Supported Population Connection position Opposed Population Connection position No vote recorded Co-sponsored Population Connection-endorsed legislation

5. Prevention First Act

+ –

3. Contraceptive Exemption

KEY

4. Medical Accuracy

2:21 PM

2. Family Planning Funding

12/4/07

1. Funding for Abstinence-only Programs

Reporter-CRC Final#2

5 Darlene Hooley (D)

• • • • • • • • • • •

• •

PENNSYLVANIA

– – – – –

1 Robert Brady (D) 2 Chaka Fattah (D) 3 Philip English (R) 4 Jason Altmire (D) 5 John Peterson (R)

December 2007 — The Reporter

Reporter-CRC Final#2

12/4/07

2:21 PM

Page 22

congressional report card

10 Christopher Carney (D) 11 Paul Kanjorski (D) 12 John Murtha (D) 13 Allyson Schwartz (D) 14 Michael Doyle (D) 15 Charles Dent (R) 16 Joseph Pitts (R) 17 Tim Holden (D) 18 Timothy Murphy (R) 19 Todd Russell Platts (R)

5 Jim Cooper (D) 6 Bart Gordon (D) 7 Marsha Blackburn (R) 8 John Tanner (D) 9 Stephen Cohen (D)

1 Patrick Kennedy (D)

1 Louie Gohmert (R) 2 Ted Poe (R) 3 Sam Johnson (R) 4 Ralph Hall (R) 5 Jeb Hensarling (R) 6 Joe Barton (R)

2 James Langevin (D)

9 Al Green (D) 10 Michael McCaul (R) 11 K. Michael Conaway (R) 12 Kay Granger (R)

SOUTH CAROLINA

1 Henry Brown Jr. (R) 2 Joe Wilson (R) 3 J. Gresham Barrett (R) 4 Bob Inglis (R) 5 John Spratt Jr. (D) 6 James Clyburn (D)

– – – – + +

13 Mac Thornberry (R) 14 Ron Paul (R) 15 Rubén Hinojosa (D) 16 Silvestre Reyes (D) 17 Chet Edwards (D) 18 Sheila Jackson Lee (D) 19 Randy Neugebauer (R) 20 Charles Gonzalez (D)

SOUTH DAKOTA

Stephanie Herseth (D)

+ + + +

21 Lamar Smith (R) 22 Nicholas Lampson (D) 23 Ciro Rodriguez (D)

TENNESSEE

1 David Davis (R) 2 John Duncan, Jr. (R) 3 Zach Wamp (R)

– – – – – – – – – – – –

14 The Reporter — December 2007

n/v

– – – – – – – – + – – – –

– –

24 Kenny Marchant (R) 25 Lloyd Doggett (D) 26 Michael Burgess (R)

– – – – – – – + – – + –

n/v n/v

+ + + + – + – + + – + –

n/v

– – – – – + – – – – – + + + + – + – + + – + –

• • •

•

9. Access to Birth Control

– – – – – – – – + – – – – – + + + + – + – + + – + –

8. Unintended Pregnancy

+ – + – + + • • •

7. Responsible Education

– + + – + +

6. Global Democracy

– + + – + +

5. Prevention First Act

9. Access to Birth Control

8. Unintended Pregnancy

7. Responsible Education

6. Global Democracy

5. Prevention First Act

4. Medical Accuracy

2. Family Planning Funding

8 Kevin Brady (R)

+ + + + • + + + + •

– + + – + +

TEXAS

7 John Culberson (R) RHODE ISLAND

4. Medical Accuracy

9 Bill Shuster (R)

4 Lincoln Davis (D)

2. Family Planning Funding

8 Patrick Murphy (D)

+ – – + + + + + + • • • n/v – – + + + + – + + – + + + + • • + + + • + + – – – – + – + – – – – – –

3. Contraceptive Exemption

7 Joe Sestak (D)

– + + – + + + + + + – – – –

TENNESSEE cont.

1. Funding for Abstinence-only Programs

6 Jim Gerlach (R)

3. Contraceptive Exemption

PENNSYLVANIA cont.

1. Funding for Abstinence-only Programs

2007 HOUSE VOTING RECORD

Page 23

n/v

28 Henry Cuellar (D)

– + + – –

29 Gene Green (D) 30 Eddie Bernice Johnson (D) 31 John Carter (R) 32 Pete Sessions (R)

+ + + – –

+ + + • + • – –

+ + – +

+ • + • • • – + • • •

7 Jim McDermott (D) 8 Dave Reichert (R) 9 Adam Smith (D)

WEST VIRGINIA

– – – + – + – + – – – +

1 Alan Mollohan (D) 2 Shelley Moore Capito (R)

UTAH

1 Rob Bishop (R) 2 Jim Matheson (D) 3 Chris Cannon (R)

– – – – + + + + – – – –

3 Nick Rahall, II (D)

WISCONSIN

– + + + – – + +

n/v n/v n/v

–

1 Paul Ryan (R) 2 Tammy Baldwin (D)

VERMONT

+ + + + •

Peter Welch (D)

•

3 Ron Kind (D) 4 Gwen Moore (D) 5 F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr. (R)

VIRGINIA

1 Jo Ann Davis (R)

2 Thelma Drake (R) 3 Bobby Scott (D) 4 J. Randy Forbes (R) 5 Virgil Goode Jr. (R) 6 Bob Goodlatte (R) 7 Eric Cantor (R) 8 James Moran (D) 9 Rick Boucher (D) 10 Frank Wolf (R) 11 Thomas Davis, III (R)

n/v n/v n/v n/v

– + – – – – + + – –

– + – – – – + + – +

9. Access to Birth Control

+ + – +

6 Norman Dicks (D)

8. Unintended Pregnancy

WASHINGTON cont.

7. Responsible Education

9. Access to Birth Control

8. Unintended Pregnancy

7. Responsible Education

n/v

6. Global Democracy

– + + + – –

5. Prevention First Act

3. Contraceptive Exemption

27 Solomon Ortiz (D)

4. Medical Accuracy

TEXAS cont.

2. Family Planning Funding

1. Funding for Abstinence-only Programs

•

6. Global Democracy

n/v

Supported Population Connection position Opposed Population Connection position No vote recorded Co-sponsored Population Connection-endorsed legislation

5. Prevention First Act

+ –

3. Contraceptive Exemption

KEY

4. Medical Accuracy

2:21 PM

2. Family Planning Funding

12/4/07

1. Funding for Abstinence-only Programs

Reporter-CRC Final#2

– + • • – – – – + • • + • • – –

6 Thomas Petri (R) 7 David Obey (D) 8 Steve Kagen (D)

– + + + – – + +

• • • • • •

• •

•

WYOMING

Barbara Cubin (R)

• Notes 1

Rep. Laura Richardson took office on September 4, 2007, after winning a special election to fill the seat of Rep. Juanita Millender-McDonald, who died on April 22, 2007.

WASHINGTON

1 Jay Inslee (D) 2 Rick Larsen (D) 3 Brian Baird (D) 4 Doc Hastings (R) 5 Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R)

www.popconnect.org

+ + + – –

+ • + • • • + • – –

Rep. Paul Broun took office on July 25, 2007, after winning a special election to fill the seat of Rep. Charlie Norwood, who died on February 13, 2007.

• 3

Rep. Marty Meehan resigned from office on July 1, 2007. Rep. Niki Tsongas took office on October 18, 2007, after winning a special election to replace Meehan.

Rep. Joann Davis died on October 6, 2007. Her replacement will be chosen by a special election on December 11, 2007.

December 2007 — The Reporter

Page 24

+ – n/v

•

1. Repeal of the Global Gag Rule

2. Funding for Family Planning

2007 SENATE VOTING RECORD

ALABAMA

Richard Shelby (R) Jeff Sessions (R)

– –

ALASKA

Ted Stevens (R) Lisa Murkowski (R)

+ +

ARIZONA

John McCain (R) Jon Kyl (R)

n/v

– –

Blanche Lincoln (D) Mark Pryor (D)

n/v

+ +

Dianne Feinstein (D) Barbara Boxer (D)

+ +

COLORADO

Wayne Allard (R) Ken Salazar (D)

– +

CONNECTICUT

Christopher Dodd (D) Joseph Lieberman (D)

+ +

n/v

Joseph Biden, Jr. (D) Thomas Carper (D)

n/v

FLORIDA

Bill Nelson (D) Mel Martinez (R)

+ –

GEORGIA

Saxby Chambliss (R) Johnny Isakson (R)

– –

HAWAII

Daniel Inouye (D) Daniel Akaka (D)

+ +

IDAHO

Larry Craig (R) Mike Crapo (R)

n/v

– –

ARKANSAS

"That is what the Boxer amendment would do. It would restore U.S. credibility and leadership on an issue of great importance to global health, to population growth, to global warming, and to the work of private organizations to make lifesaving services available to the world's poorest women." Sen. Patrick Leahy

Supported Population Connection position Opposed Population Connection position No vote recorded Co-sponsored Population Connection-endorsed legislation

CALIFORNIA

DELAWARE

–

– +

n/v

INDIANA

Richard Lugar (R) Evan Bayh (D)

– +

+ +

IOWA

Chuck Grassley (R) Tom Harkin (D)

– +

Sam Brownback (R) Pat Roberts (R)

– –

KANSAS

16 The Reporter — December 2007

• •

•

• •

•

Richard Durbin (D) Barack Obama (D)

ILLINOIS

6. Access to Birth Control

KEY

congressional report card

5. Responsible Education About Life

2:21 PM

4. Unintended Pregnancy Reduction

12/4/07

3. Prevention First Act

Reporter-CRC Final#2

• •

•

2:21 PM

Page 25

KEY

+ – n/v

Mitch McConnell (R) Jim Bunning (R)

– –

LOUISIANA

Mary Landrieu (D) David Vitter (R)

+ –

MAINE

Olympia Snowe (R) Susan Collins (R)

+ +

Barbara Mikulski (D) Benjamin Cardin (D)

+ +

n/v

MASSACHUSETTS Edward Kennedy (D) John Kerry (D)

+ +

n/v

MICHIGAN

Carl Levin (D) Debbie Stabenow (D)

MINNESOTA

4. Unintended Pregnancy Reduction

2. Funding for Family Planning

KENTUCKY

3. Prevention First Act

1. Repeal of the Global Gag Rule

•

Supported Population Connection position Opposed Population Connection position No vote recorded Co-sponsored Population Connection-endorsed legislation

•

• •

+ +

• •

Norm Coleman (R) Amy Klobuchar (D)

– +

•

MISSISSIPPI

Thad Cochran (R) Trent Lott (R)

– –

MISSOURI

Christopher Bond (R) Claire McCaskill (D)

– +

+ +

•

MONTANA

Max Baucus (D) Jon Tester (D)

+ +

• •

NEBRASKA

Chuck Hagel (R) Ben Nelson (D)

– –

– +

NEVADA

Harry Reid (D) John Ensign (R)

+ –

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Judd Gregg (R) John Sununu (R)

– –

NEW JERSEY

Frank Lautenberg (D) Robert Menendez (D)

+ +

NEW MEXICO

Pete Domenici (R) Jeff Bingaman (D) Charles Schumer (D) Hillary Rodham Clinton (D)

NEW YORK

NORTH CAROLINA Elizabeth Dole (R) Richard Burr (R) www.popconnect.org

“The repeal of the Global Gag Rule policy is long overdue. Thousands of women have died because of this dangerous policy, and I will work as hard as I can to see that it is finally overturned.”

• • •

MARYLAND

6. Access to Birth Control

12/4/07

5. Responsible Education About Life

Reporter-CRC Final#2

•

Sen. Barbara Boxer

•

+ +

• •

– +

•

n/v

• •

– –

• •

“The extraordinary number of teen pregnancies and growing rate of STD transmission among teens underscores the necessity of comprehensive sexual education. They need to be taught about both abstinence and contraception.” Rep. Christopher Shays

•

December 2007 — The Reporter

Page 26

KEY

congressional report card

+ – n/v

•

Supported Population Connection position Opposed Population Connection position No vote recorded Co-sponsored Population Connection-endorsed legislation

NORTH DAKOTA

Kent Conrad (D) Byron Dorgan (D)

+ +

OHIO

George Voinovich (R) Sherrod Brown (D)

– +

OKLAHOMA

James Inhofe (R) Tom Coburn (R)

– –

OREGON

Ron Wyden (D) Gordon Smith (R)

+ +

+ –

PENNSYLVANIA

Arlen Specter (R) Robert Casey, Jr. (D)

+ +

Jack Reed (D) Sheldon Whitehouse (D)

+ +

– –

RHODE ISLAND

SOUTH CAROLINA Lindsey Graham (R) Jim DeMint (R) SOUTH DAKOTA

Tim Johnson (D) John Thune (R)

+ –

TENNESSEE

Lamar Alexander (R) Bob Corker (R)

– –

TEXAS

Kay Bailey Hutchison (R) John Cornyn (R)

– –

UTAH

Orrin Hatch (R) Robert Bennett (R)

– –

VERMONT

Patrick Leahy (D) Bernard Sanders (I)

+ +

John Warner (R) James Webb (D)

+ +

n/v

WASHINGTON

Patty Murray (D) Maria Cantwell (D)

+ +

WEST VIRGINIA

Robert Byrd (D) John Rockefeller, IV (D)

+ +

WISCONSIN

Herbert Kohl (D) Russ Feingold (D)

+ +

WYOMING

Michael Enzi (R) John Barrasso (R)

– –

VIRGINIA

Rep. Carolyn Maloney

18 The Reporter — December 2007

3. Prevention First Act

2. Funding for Family Planning

An American woman can decide to put her life on the line for our country in Iraq, but she can be prevented from making basic decisions about her own health here at home. Access to birth control is a women’s health issue, a private matter and a constitutional right. No one not pharmacists, politicians, or religious leaders should be able to tamper with that right.”

1. Repeal of the Global Gag Rule

2007 SENATE VOTING RECORD

•

6. Access to Birth Control

2:21 PM

5. Responsible Education About Life

12/4/07

4. Unintended Pregnancy Reduction

Reporter-CRC Final#2

•

• • •

•

• •

•

+ • •

•

Reporter-CRC Final#2

12/4/07

2:21 PM

Page 27

By Stacie Murphy, Senior Fellow-Government Relations

Even with this good news, it’s easy to feel frustrated. After all, the Global Gag Rule is still

Family planning advocates began 2007 with

in effect, taxpayer dollars continue to flow to

high hopes. With a new, more supportive

those discredited abstinence-only programs,

Congress, it seemed possible that we might

and there is no dedicated funding stream for

begin to make progress on our core issues.

comprehensive sex education.

And progress has been made: both the

There’s no question that issues like the

House and Senate have voted to ease the

war have garnered more attention and

restrictions of the Global Gag Rule; the

debate in Congress than population and

House voted to make significant changes to

family planning. And the Republican minority

the discredited and dangerous federal absti-

in the Senate are filibustering nearly every

nence-only program; and, both Houses

piece of legislation, requiring sixty votes for

voted against an amendment to undermine

passage—and for our issues that’s a high

the domestic family planning program by

hurdle. Finally, even when our advocates in

prohibiting funding to Planned Parenthood

Congress have been able to draw attention

clinics.

to population issues, one powerful opponent

Washington View

2007: INCREASED SUPPORT FOR POPULATION ISSUES, BUT LITTLE CHANGE IN OUTCOMES

still stands in the way.

PRESIDENT BUSH DISCOVERS THE VETO, FINDS HE LIKES IT. President Bush vetoed five bills by the middle of November. Included on that list is a bill that contained a substantial increase in funding for Title X, the nation’s family planning program for low-income women. The bill also contained funding increases for abstinence-only programs, however, so the veto was not entirely without benefit. The President has also threatened to veto the State Department Foreign Operations Appropriations bill if it contains any language altering the Global Gag Rule. Since both chambers of Congress included such 110th Congress - Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. Photo: © Brooks Kraft/Corbis www.popconnect.org

language in their bills, it looks as though there may be another veto fight brewing. December 2007 — The Reporter

Reporter-CRC Final#2

12/4/07

2:21 PM

Page 28

U.S. Population Spreading Like Wildfire By Marian Starkey, Communications Manager

esidents are returning to their charred homes in southern California, destroyed by wildfires early this fall. The destruction of the fires was exacerbated by climate change, high population density, and urban sprawl. “Fires are burning hotter and bigger, becoming more damaging and dangerous to people and to property,” U.S. Forest Service Chief Gail Kimbell said. “Each year the fire season comes earlier and lasts longer.”1 The warming of the western United States causes periods of heavy rain, during which forest cover grows rapidly. This increased foliage serves as fuel for the wildfires that rage during periods of drought, which have become hotter and longer. “The catastrophic fires that are sweeping Southern California are consistent with what climate change models have been predicting for years, experts say, and they may be just a prelude to many more such events in the future—as vegetation grows heavier than usual and then ignites during prolonged drought periods.”2 Ronald Neilson, contributor to the Nobel Peace Prize-winning IPCC report on climate change and a bioclimatologist with the USDA Forest Service, said, “This is exactly what we’ve been projecting to happen, both in short-term fire forecasts for this year and the longer term patterns that can be linked to global climate change.”3

“We can expect longer, more damaging fire seasons. Two trends—climate change and a population surge into the open country—are converging in a place where fire has long had a home. Of course, fire is no stranger to this area. But the region has been warming for nearly 30 years. And now we are seeing the kind of heat records that nobody wants.”

While global warming intensifies wildfires, the carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere by fire contributes to global warming. The cycle is perpetual. Every year, one-fifth of global CO2 emissions are released through deforestation, usually by burning. 20 The Reporter — December 2007

Altered weather patterns wreak havoc for those who are settled in areas traditionally inhospitable to humans. Only within the past century, with the help of irrigation systems and reservoirs, have people inhabited deserts en masse. The ability to settle areas that were previously off limits, paired with population growth, has resulted in urban sprawl into previously wild lands and an explosion of new homes that are right in the path of destruction. The houses that have popped up in the chaparral are excellent fuel for the fires that cannot be prevented, as they are a natural part of the landscape, albeit not on the scale we see today. The fires are necessary for the survival of many of the species of trees that grow in the American Southwest. Fire returns nutrients from trees and shrubs to the soil as mineral-rich ash. The heat breaks open pinecones and seedpods, which allows the seeds to germinate in the fertile soil created by the ash.4 However, frequent drought and fire can be detrimental to these trees, as it depletes them of moisture. The trunk rings for years of drought are much thinner than for years of ample precipitation—too many drought years make the trees brittle. Wild animals have evolved to cope with the fires. Most are able to avoid contact by running or burrowing underground. They then feast on the seeds left in the fire’s wake (which attract insects, which attract birds and rodents, and so on up the food chain). With every fire vulnerable animals perish, e.g. baby birds that cannot yet fly, young animals that cannot run fast enough, large animals that are surrounded by fire and cannot dig underground. Although individual animals may die, species have evolved to survive in the long-term after wildfires. Humans and their pets seem to be the only species that do not belong in this environment. As reported by the BBC, “We can expect longer, more damaging fire seasons. Two trends—climate change and a population surge into the open country—are converging in a place where fire has long had a home. Of

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Wildfires burn near a home in Running Springs, California. Firestorms burned across southern California for the third straight day, as U.S. President George W. Bush declared a state of emergency and 500,000 residents of the region fled for their lives. Photo: © Paul Buck/epa/Corbis

course, fire is no stranger to this area. But the region has been warming for nearly 30 years. And now we are seeing the kind of heat records that nobody wants.”5 Some ecologists suggest relocating people who are in hazard-prone regions of the world. “We can expect that climate change, provoking greater frequency and intensity of natural hazards, will redesign risk and vulnerability maps, affecting population mobility. Places marginally vulnerable to flooding, for example, may be more exposed to the effects of more intense storms, with consequences for patterns of population distribution at the local scale. While measures to increase resilience will be needed to afford greater protection, it may often be more rational to relocate residences.”6 Humans increase the vulnerability of fire-prone ecosystems by building houses, which add fuel in the form of lumber, gas, and other flammables. More importantly though, humans contribute to the intensity and frequency of wildfires through greenhouse gas www.popconnect.org

emissions. Global warming extends periods of drought and makes forests more vulnerable to burning once ignited. The burning then speeds global warming. In order to avoid human and animal casualties in the future, building in areas susceptible to wildfire should be avoided and greenhouse gas emissions must be curbed. The most effective way to limit emissions is to stabilize the human population. 1 P. Fimrite, “Climate Change: Hotter world may fan flames,” San Francisco Chronicle, October 25, 2007. 2 Oregon State University. “Massive California Fires Consistent With Climate Change, Experts Say,” ScienceDaily, October 24, 2007, retrieved November 2, 2007, from http://www.sciencedaily.com. 3 Ibid. 4 The San Diego Wildfires Education Project, “What is Fire Ecology?” San Diego State University Foundation, http://interwork.sdsu.edu/fire/resources/fire-ecology.htm, 2004. 5 T. Egan, “Why forest fires are spreading,” BBC Magazine, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/6983960.stm, September 7, 2007. 6 D.J. Hogan, E. Marandola Jr., “Vulnerability to Natural Hazards in Population-Environment Studies,” Background paper to the Population-Environment Research Network (PERN) Cyberseminar on Population & Natural Hazards, November 5-19, 2007.

December 2007 — The Reporter

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Field & Outreach

We Can’t Grow on Like This

WHAT WE’RE DOING ABOUT IT We’re contacting 101 influential people and groups in each of our 12 Target Cities, and asking them to sign on to a resolution stating:

• Population growth is a major cause of global warming, which threatens the quality of life for people everywhere. • We urge policy makers to include voluntary family planning as part of the Climate Change Agenda. By Mae Stevens, National Field Coordinator

• This will help reduce global warming by

WHAT’S THE PROBLEM HERE?

stabilizing world population at a level

As the world population continues to climb, car-

that can be sustained by Earth’s resources.

bon emissions have followed suit, prompting the congressional introduction of many bills to address climate change. However, provisions for slowing human population growth are conspicuously absent. The bills require an overall CO2 emissions reduction, possible through combinations of new fuel efficiency standards, a mandatory increase in

These signatures will be presented to the top decision makers on Capitol Hill, posted on Population Connection’s Website, and distributed to other leaders to make the case that they are in good company when they declare population growth a part of the global warming problem. These influential people will be a diverse group.

renewable energy usage, and carbon capture and

They’ll be health practitioners, scientists, humani-

storage. However, ignoring the population factor

ties professors, and presidents of student groups.

could make this work moot. Professor Tim Dyson

They’ll be mayors, city council members, and fed-

of the London School of Economics argues that

eral and state legislators. And that’s just a start.

the positive effects of a 40% cut in per capita

We measure the influence of potential signatories

carbon emissions in the developed world could be

not just by title, but also consider their willingness

completely canceled out by global population

to work hard towards our goals and how well

growth by 2050.

respected they are in their communities.

Between 1990 and 2004, U.S. carbon dioxide

We’re also asking them to take the next step.

pollution from fossil fuel emissions rose by 18%,

If we’re going to change the discussion in this

as did the U.S. population. It isn’t a coincidence.

country, everyone needs to do more. We’re asking

Population Connection is bringing the correlation

these leaders to call their elected representatives,

into the congressional climate change discussion.

write letters to their local newspapers, and support

We are urging lawmakers to consider the impact

Population Connection financially. Mobilizing

of population growth and the need for population

high-profile grassroots support will help us win the

stabilization as they revise and amend this impor-

inclusion of a population measure in important cli-

tant legislation.

mate change legislation.

22 The Reporter — December 2007

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Pop.Ed.

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Professional development workshop at Duke University. Photo: Pam Wasserman

AT THE TOP OF THE CLASS By Erin Zimmer, Population Education Program Assistant

The results are in! Population Connection’s Education Program is reaching more students with our population education materials than ever. Our program is structured around our nationwide teacher training workshops, showcasing our simple and adaptable lesson plans. We rely on annual evaluations from our participants to determine which aspects of the workshops and lesson plans were effective and what needs improvement for future years. In May, we emailed a follow-up questionnaire to 2005 and 2006 workshop participants. This was the first time the Education Program sent an electronic version of the evaluation and the first time that it addressed participants from two years prior. As an incentive, we offered a choice of free program materials to those who completed the survey. The results were extremely positive. After emailing 9,000 evaluations, 10% of participants responded within five days. The respondents said that students enjoy our activities, and many teachers still use them two years after attending a workshop. Population

Education workshops trained approximately 24,000 educators in 2005 and 2006. Respondents noted that they reached an average of 117 students each year with our curriculum, which proves that our materials are reaching millions of students today! An important aspect of the survey was to determine whether teachers felt that our lesson plans changed students’ perspectives. A resounding 95% of teachers believed that the materials engaged the students; 93% found that the activities increased their students’ awareness of population issues; and over three-quarters saw a change in their students’ thinking regarding population growth. As the Education Program continues to provide workshops across the country, staff at the Washington, D.C. headquarters are constantly developing new activities and updating old ones. The Population Education program works hard to provide workshop opportunities for future educators—and seeing these great results guarantees many more to come!

In addition to quantitative results, the evaluation survey sought respondents’ qualitative comments about Population Connection workshops. Here’s what some reviewers had to say:

“I love Population Connection activities! My kids have really benefited by being exposed to the activities in class. They help kids to clearly understand otherwise difficult and complex issues.”

“The workshop was probably one of the most worthwhile single class periods in all of my teaching classes. The information and activities that were presented were well planned and designed.”

“I think this is an awesome program! I really enjoyed the workshop and have already put what I have learned to good use! I’m so happy that our prof chose to bring Population Connection in. I think it’s a great resource!”

www.popconnect.org

December 2007 — The Reporter

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Remark

“I’m afraid you have humans.” By Eric Lewis/New Yorker 24 The Reporter — December 2007

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The Looming Crisis; Can We Act in Time? EXCERPTED FROM KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY FORMER PRESIDENT WILLIAM JEFFERSON CLINTON KENNEDY SCHOOL SPRING CONFERENCE CAMBRIDGE, MA—MAY 4, 2007 I think it is highly likely that before we see the worst consequences of climate change, we will reap the consequences of the combined impact of resource depletion and population explosion. It is projected that the world will grow from six and a half to nine billion in the next 43 years, by 2050—with almost all the population growth coming in the countries least able to handle it. Meanwhile, if you look around the world we have substantial loss of topsoil, substantial loss of forest cover, and certainly the biggest loss of plant and animal species in human history—for the last 150,000 years—and many people think for the last half million years. This is a combustible mix. It raises the prospect of places all over the world having a modern version of that old Mel Gibson—Tina Turner Road Warrior movie. When you put climate change in that with agricultural production shifting, it’s a powerful mix. There’s a small but increasing number of petroleum experts who believe we only have 35 to 50 years of recoverable oil left. And the optimists say, except for Cambridge Research—they say we’ve got 150 years left—but most of the other optimists say 100 years. Now let me remind you, the oldest city on Earth by carbon dating, that we know of, is Jericho in the Holy Land. It’s 10,000 years old so we’ve got 1% of civilization to figure out how to do without oil. And there’s almost no discussion given to this in public circles today. It is, as far as I know, not part of the debate in the campaigns in either camp. We Democrats want to conserve, and the Republicans want to drill ANWR, and there’s a debate about what we should do with nuclear power. And nobody’s really looking at what we would do if we put anything like the money, time, and effort into solar, wind, other clean technologies, and a massive efficiency effort. So we’re trying to push that debate. But nobody’s really talking about the resource depletion issue. And when you put it against population—let’s just take farming, something I know something about…In the last decade, the United States, Canada, the breadbaskets of Europe, the major rice producers in Asia—they all held their own. But the only place on Earth that grain production increased significantly was Brazil and Argentina where they have 22 feet of topsoil. They still have the best topsoil on Earth. No place else was there a substantial increase in grain production. Those places are impressive, but Brazil already is under stress and a big argument about tearing down the tropical rain forest, by the way which almost never yields good topsoil—it’s normally a terrible mistake—but the rest of the country has massive topsoil. There’s no way in the world they can grow enough extra food to feed two and a half billion people. So we have no alternative but to begin to think now about recovering this. How will these people be fed? Unless you want to see sweeping epidemics of infant mortality rising again, children dying before they’re a year old. And I’m not even talking about AIDS, TB, malaria, infections related to dirty water, all the current disasters. I’m just saying this is coming. And I know there’s no great political constituency for it, but we can avert some of these things for not very much money if they can be put into the public debate and people understand clearly what’s going to happen. I think that’s quite important.

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One Way To Change The World

We hope you’ll consider Population Connection as you plan your estate. Your bequest gift will help change the future for people and for our planet. You can also participate with other forms of planned giving. Charitable Gift Annuities provide guaranteed life income along with significant tax advantages. If you, or your financial advisor, have any questions, please feel free to contact Nina O’Connor in the Membership and Development Department at 800-767-1956 or 202-332-2200. If you’ve already included Zero Population Growth (ZPG) in your estate plans, there is no need to change any language. We proudly maintain the name and the mission.

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