Abortion

The Colorado-based Hercules Industries sued over the coverage mandate, calling it a violation of the owner's religious beliefs.

The legislation would outlaw abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy, and physicians who disobeyed would be fined or imprisoned.

The treaty, said panel Chairman John Kerry (D-Mass.), “raises the standard to our level without requiring us to go further.”

Twenty-four lawsuits have been filed against the federal birth-control mandate so far, mostly from religious groups.

The suit was filed by seven state attorneys general, all of whom are Republicans.

A leading abortion-rights group denounced a new spending bill from the House GOP that defunds the healthcare law and includes several anti-abortion riders.

Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, said the bill exemplifies "anti-choice" leaders' "War on Women."

"These attacks on women’s freedom and privacy are way out of touch with our nation’s values and priorities," Keenan said in a statement.

Planned Parenthood is suing Arizona over a new state law barring the group from contracting with Medicaid because it provides abortions.

The law, championed by social conservatives, goes into effect on Aug. 2. Planned Parenthood says it will deprive thousands of low-income women from receiving care at their preferred medical provider.

"The men and women of this state have the right to see the healthcare provider they deem is best for them," said Bryan Howard, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Arizona. "It is wrong for the state to tell Arizonans who they can and cannot see for their healthcare."

The Susan B. Anthony List, a leading anti-abortion political action committee, called Condoleezza Rice an "unqualified candidate" to be Mitt Romney's running mate because she supports abortion rights.

"Former Secretary Rice's position on the sanctity of human life makes her an unqualified candidate for Governor Romney to choose as a running mate," SBA List President Marjorie Dannenfelser said in a statement.

The National Organization for Women (NOW) slammed Rep. Trent Franks (R-Ariz.) and other GOP lawmakers for supporting a new bill that would limit abortion rights in Washington, D.C.

The House Judiciary Committee was scheduled to mark up Franks's bill, H.R. 3803, on Tuesday morning. The measure would criminalize abortions after 20 weeks in the District because, Republicans argue, some research suggests that fetuses can feel pain at that point.

NOW President Terry O'Neill called the bill a "clear strike in the ongoing War on Women."

Rep. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) is urging support for a Michigan lawmaker who was barred from speaking on the state House floor after using the word "vagina" in an abortion debate. 

Republicans' one-day gag order against state Rep. Lisa Brown (D) prompted a nationwide backlash as Democrats continue to charge that the GOP is engaged in a "war on women."

Peters grabbed attention for joining a petition in support of Brown and her colleague, Barb Byrum (D), who was also denied the right to speak after using the word "vasectomy."