Double Dose: Weekly Chump and Champ

This week, not only are we putting the spotlight on our weekly and newly featured Chump, Congressman Mark Critz, but we are also introducing a weekly Champ (or in this week’s case, quite a few Champs). We thought it might be nice to have some optimism going into the weekend.

First, let’s begin with the main offender and Chump of the Week, Pennsylvania Congressman Mark Critz.

Like so many of our other chumps, Congressman Critz can’t be trusted with women’s health. In fact, considering his record, it’s quite clear Critz thinks of it as nothing more than a political bargaining tool to secure reelection in his conservative district. It’s no wonder, considering he’s had to run for election and reelection (as a Democrat) against the same Republican candidate in the short span of six months. His focus is on winning over his conservative district, not protecting women.

Perhaps the highlight of his anti-choice career was his co-sponsorship of the “Protect Life Act,” also known as the “Let Women Die Act.” Co-sponsoring a bill to allow hospitals to deny abortion care even when the mother’s life is at risk? Could it get any worse? We hope that after the 2012 elections, we never have to find out.

In light of all of the above and more, we’re bestowing the Chump crown to Congressman Critz (wow that really has a nice alliteration to it, perhaps it was meant to be).

Moving on to the happier portion of our post, we’re pleased to be naming not just one but many Champs this week. In fact, the Champ title goes out to a number of states who are promoting a resolution to Trust Women: Alaska, Arizona, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Michigan, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin.

As you may have seen in our earlier post, thousands of women and men across the country are participating in a national online march as part of Trust Women Week, and many states have joined the cause!

So far, at least 15 states have put forth resolutions to promote awareness and show their trust in women by advocating for a “Respect Reproductive Rights Awareness Week”.

2011 was a tough year for women’s health, but as long as states like Arizona, Wisconsin and New York proudly proclaim their commitment to “vigorously protect a woman’s right to choose,” women will know they aren’t alone. These individuals understand the importance of letting politicians know women are watching and will hold them accountable in 2012.

We couldn’t be happier to see state legislators standing up to protect women’s health. They are undeniably champions.

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