Tammy Baldwin

Help get my name on the fall ballot

katiebelanger@tammybaldwin.com — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 14:52:00 GMT

Thanks to all of you –my many supporters, volunteers, donors, advocates, and allies – I have had the honor of serving Wisconsin’s 2nd Congressional District since 1998. I am thrilled with the opportunity to continue to be a strong voice for the region. But for that to happen, I need a little of your time to help collect nomination signatures for my 2008 run.

The will of the people, the future of the planet

katiebelanger@tammybaldwin.com — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 21:56:00 GMT

Former Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson knew that if the environment was to be a priority on the national agenda, it would be the people, not the politicians, who put it there. So, in 1970, Senator Nelson announced a nationwide grassroots demonstration on the environment; he called it Earth Day.

The things they say when they think we're not listening

katiebelanger@tammybaldwin.com — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 14:38:00 GMT

“Studies show that no society that has totally embraced homosexuality has lasted more than, you know, a few decades. So it’s the death knell of this country.”

“I honestly think it’s the biggest threat our nation has, even more so than terrorism or Islam – which I think is a big threat, OK?”

When Oklahoma State Representative Sally Kern said these disgraceful and disgusting words, she thought no one was listening.

Speaking before a group of her supporters at what she believed was a private gathering, the Republican lawmaker viciously attacked LGBT Americans. But, every word of Rep. Kern’s bigoted tirade was caught on tape. Take a minute to read more of Rep. Kern’s anti-gay diatribe, where she says things like:

“The homosexual agenda is destroying this nation.”

“I’m not gay bashing, but according to God’s word that is not the right kind of lifestyle. It has deadly consequences for those people involved in it.”

“You know gays are infiltrating city councils.”

And you can listen to Rep. Kern first-hand on this video:

After she was exposed, Rep. Kern refused to apologize. In fact, she has even appeared on television to repeat her outrageous assertions.

You know that Rep. Kern is not alone in her extremism. Behind her is a legion of right-wing political organizations spreading homophobia. They think it’s a disgrace that I’m in Congress, and they are working hard to silence me and other LGBT public officials, who as Rep. Kern puts it, are “infiltrating” our government.

As the only out lesbian in Congress, I am always a top target of the radical right, and this election year is no different.

They can’t stand the fact I’m working to expand workplace anti-discrimination laws to LGBT Americans. It infuriates them that I’m leading the effort to pass stronger hate crimes laws. And when they hear about my work to extend domestic partner benefits to federal employees, they grow more determined to defeat me.

I’m asking strong supporters, like you, to help show Rep. Kern and her cronies that they can’t get away with this kind of hate speech by offering your personal response to this disgraceful episode in the comment section below.

Make no mistake: our opponents have the resources and the will to make good on their political threats against me.

Please help make a strong statement for equality—one that will stand in stark contrast to Rep. Kern’s hateful words —in the comments below.

Mental illness is a health problem, too

katiebelanger@tammybaldwin.com — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 22:05:00 GMT

Over the years I have heard hundreds of heart-wrenching stories about individuals and families who suffer as a result of health insurers failing to provide the same coverage for mental illnesses as they do for physical ailments.

One Wisconsin woman shared with me an especially poignant story that illustrates the imbalance of the current system.

In the same year, this woman’s husband and daughter both required major medical care because of life-threatening conditions. One had a disease of the kidneys and one suffered from severe clinical depression.

Both patients required emergency visits and extended treatment. Both patients were compliant and followed their doctor’s treatment instructions. Both patients were covered under the same family policy.

But the insurance covered twice as much of the costs associated with the kidney disease as it did for the severe depression, simply because depression is a mental illness.

So while her husband underwent multiple treatments for his kidney disease, her daughter learned her insurance would stop paying for her psychiatric appointments.

Last month, a bipartisan majority of the House voted to change this by passing landmark legislation that will end this discrimination. The Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act, of which I am an original cosponsor, prohibits group health plans from imposing treatment or financial limitations in mental health benefits.

As you know, I ardently believe all Americans deserve access to affordable, comprehensive health care. And I believe this care should include both mental and physical health. Mental illnesses are real and treatable health problems—just like hypertension, cancer and heart disease; yet millions of hardworking men and women still find that their health plans place strict limits on coverage for mental health benefits.

It is time for us to end this irrational discrimination.

When even the family pet gets more respect

katiebelanger@tammybaldwin.com — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 21:07:00 GMT

“For the past three years, I’ve urged [Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice] and her senior management team to redress policies that discriminate against gay and lesbian employees.

“Absolutely nothing has resulted from this. And so I’ve felt compelled to choose between obligations to my partner — who is my family — and service to my country. That anyone should have to make that choice is a stain on the Secretary’s leadership and a shame for this institution and our country."

Those are the words of former U.S. Ambassador to Romania Michael Guest as he announced his resignation.

His resignation represents so much that is wrong with the disrespectful way our country treats gay and lesbian people.

By not including same-sex partners in the definition of an "Eligible Family Member," the State Department excludes them from many of the benefits, protections, and services that are enjoyed by family members of married Foreign Service Officers, and that are important to the safety, effectiveness, and morale of our communities abroad.

Guest’s partner was denied security classes, language classes, and evacuation in the event of an emergency. Unlike spouses – and even, believe it or not, the family pet—partners of gay or lesbian Foreign Service Officers must pay their own travel and evacuation expenses, even in an emergency.

With three of my colleagues, I wrote to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice demanding immediate attention to the issue. You can download a pdf of the two-page letter to read our specific demands. Many of the inequities could clearly be remedied through Rice’s leadership as Secretary, without legislative changes.

Last Monday Secretary Rice took some immediate action as a result of our letter. She officially granted permission for “members of households” (how same-sex partners are classified) to attend security classes.

While it’s noteworthy that Secretary Rice responded immediately, there are significantly more steps to take before same-sex partners are treated as spouses. It is so unfortunate that the inequitable treatment of gay and lesbian Foreign Service Officers and their partners is driving qualified employees to leave the State Department at a time when their service is needed more than ever.

Shoveling

katiebelanger@tammybaldwin.com — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 23:49:00 GMT

We’re no strangers to snow here in Wisconsin. Usually even in heavy storms our lives move at the regular pace. But last Wednesday, Madison experienced a blizzard that shut the whole city down. By evening, even the Metro Bus system had to call it quits.

Of course, I was still determined to stay on schedule and get to D.C. But after numerous thwarted rescheduling attempts to get a flight, I gave in and instead did what everyone in Madison, Beloit, and all of southern Wisconsin had to do.

I pulled on my boots and shoveled.

The next day roads were clear and I was on a plane to DC. I made it to the Capitol with just 30 minutes to spare before the roll call on the Higher Education Reauthorization Bill. With the majority of a bipartisan Congress, I voted for the bill, and sent it on to the Senate.

Next up, I had the honor of presiding as speaker pro tem over the Economic Stimulus Bill you’ve been hearing about in the news. Both the House and the Senate passed the bill, which will provide tax rebates to over 100 million Americans and boost consumer spending in this difficult economic slump.

After dinner and a good night’s sleep, I turned around and was on my way back to a beautiful, snow-covered Madison.

It was a whirlwind of 48 hours, but I’m pleased to say that in those two days I managed to clear off both my driveway and my desk.