Jacqueline Ayers, Director of Legislative Affairs for Planned Parenthood, discusses 2017's historic year for women - from the women's marches that kicked off President Trump's inauguration to the #MeToo campaign.
Ayers discusses the Trump administration's policies, which have sparked the fight for women's rights. They include the executive order that allows schools and employers to deny women rights to birth control and the undermining of Title X, which was put in place in the 70s and allows low-income families and individuals access to healthcare, including birth control. Ayers notes that some religious universities have already announced that they are cutting access to contraceptives.
Ayers also weighs in on the repeal of the individual mandate and the long-term repercussions it could have on women's health.
President Joe Biden has met with new House Speaker Mike Johnson at the White House. Johnson was joined by Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries as they discussed Biden's request for nearly $106 billion for Israel, Ukraine and other national security needs.
The new leader of one of the chambers of Congress that will certify the winner of next year's presidential election helped spearhead the attempt to overturn the last one, raising alarms that Republicans could try to subvert the will of the voters if they remain in power despite safeguards enacted after the 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
