My jaw dropped. Could I really be seeing a picture of the "expert" witnesses on birth control testifying before Congress, and ….they were all men?! [1]

What year are we in anyway?

This is beyond out-of-touch.  It's downright offensive.

With 1.86 children in the average U.S. family, it’s clear that the vast majority women and mothers use birth control. [2, 3] Women and mothers are clearly experts on this topic.

*Join me in demanding that the U.S. House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hold a new hearing on birth control —and this time to have a meaningful representation of women and mothers!

http://action.momsrising.org/sign/birthcontrol2/

Yes, birth control matters to moms. In fact, access to birth control is critical to the economic security and health of mothers and families across our nation for a number of reasons. Frankly, just providing the basics for children requires a lot of money.  For example, just a year of childcare costs more than college in many states! [4]  To make ends meet, most modern families now need two parents in the labor force; and three-quarters of moms are now in the labor force.

And even so, many families are truly struggling: Recent Census data showed that nearly one in six American women are living in poverty, and 22% of children are living in poverty. [5]

Yet right now, as families are struggling, some politicians are playing unfair games: The well-being and economic security of women and mothers should never be used as a political football.

This has got to stop.

Increased access to birth control is an important part of the passage of the Affordable Care Act (health care reform). Now is not the time to turn back the clock by having unfair Congressional review.

Women’s voices must be heard!

*Join me in demanding that the U.S. House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hold a new hearing on birth control —and this time to have a meaningful representation of women and mothers!

http://action.momsrising.org/sign/birthcontrol2/

And please also take a moment to post this action link on Facebook and to forward this email to your friends and family so they too can express their outrage to Congress.

Together, we are a powerful force for women and families.

[1] Washington Post blog post: Birth Control Hearing on Capitol Hill had mostly male panel of witnesses, February 16, 2012

[2] US Census

[3] Mosher WD and Jones J, Use of contraception in the United States: 1982–2008, Vital and Health Statistics, 2010, Series 23, No. 29. VIA http://action.momsrising.org/go/1579?akid=3125.12456._sMPvR&t=11

[4] National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies

[5] NWLC Analysis of 2010 Census Poverty Data