On Jan. 20, 2012, the Department of Health and Human Services announced an exemption for religious hospitals, nonprofit organizations and faith-based universities, in their decision to require health insurance plans to cover preventative care. After discussions with faith-based organizations, the administration has decided to give them an extra year to find a way to comply with a ruling that would ensure that women have access to contraception and other preventive care with no out-of-pocket cost, thus striking a balance between the needs of women and a respect for religious communities.

Mitt Romney has been telling us that he has never supported women’s health coverage (unless you count all the times he did). While Mitt Romney is trying to figure out what he believes, President Obama has made incredible strides in terms of women’s health. He has made insurance companies stop discriminating based on gender, made sure that women can access mammograms and other preventative services at no cost, and is standing against Washington Republicans who want to roll back women’s rights and access to the health care they need.

Once again, the Democratic Party and the Obama administration have shown that when people of faith speak, they listen. For far too long, insurance companies have refused to cover the health needs of the most vulnerable and charged unfair premiums, as if being female were a preexisting condition. The desire to see fair health coverage is a common goal of both the Democratic Party and people of faith — a goal that was accomplished when we worked together.

-John W. McCarthy, CDA Faith Caucus Chair

Before the call be

“We gather tonight knowing that this generation of heroes has made the United States safer and more respected around the world…These achievements are a testament to the courage, selflessness and teamwork of America’s Armed Forces.  At a time when too many of our institutions have let us down, they exceed all expectations. They’re not consumed with personal ambition. They don’t obsess over their differences. They focus on the mission at hand. They work together.

“Imagine what we could accomplish if we followed their example.”

Like the President, the College Democrats of America stand behind our troops, saluting the extraordinary sacrifices they have made on behalf of our freedom. That’s why we are highlighting one of the most important accomplishments of our generation: the withdrawal of American troops from Iraq.

During the 2011 holiday season, thousands of men and women in the armed services were able to join their families at the dinner table for the first time in years. President Obama has kept his word by bringing the war in Iraq to a responsible end; when the President took office in 2009, there were 142,000 troops stationed in Iraq; today, there are zero. As we welcome home those Americans who have dedicated their lives to the protection of our country, the College Democrats of America are proud to pay tribute to their service.

Tonight, you can take part in one of these great events by attending your local College Dems’ State of the Union watch party! Across the nation, College Democrats are gathering to watch President Obama’s most important speech of the year. Gather with your friends, discuss the speech, and, most importantly, have fun. One chapter is even taking bets on how many times the President will have to pause for applause!

This is just one great way to get students on your campus involved in the political process. Check out the Spring Programs Guide for many more. You can even take it one step further – we want you to tell us your ideas! Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter to tell us about the state of YOUR union. On Twitter, we’ll be using the hashtag #CollegeDemsSOTU. Give us a shout, and you could see your ideas put into action.

Prior to the Affordable Care Act, women were often charged more for health insurance than men. Now, women can no longer be charged higher premiums than men and insurance companies won’t be allowed to treat pregnancy as a pre-existing condition. In fact, just last week, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced that women will no longer pay a dime out of pocket to receive birth control. Young women often faced uncertain futures because of their inability to receive affordable health coverage; thanks to President Obama, women are no longer a pre-existing condition.

Furthermore, the law allows young adults, traditionally the group most likely to be uninsured, to remain on their parents’ insurance plan until age 26. Thanks to that provision, an estimated 2.5 million more young people between the ages of 19 and 25 now have coverage.  Because of the actions of the Obama administration, ninety-five percent of Americans under the age of 65 will be insured under the Affordable Care Act. The College Democrats of America are proud to have a President who recognizes the importance of a healthy, thriving citizenry.

The Republican Party has promised to make elimination of these benefits a priority; GOP presidential candidates have spoken out against the Affordable Care Act and have refused to acknowledge the unprecedented access to care millions of Americans now receive. The College Democrats across the country are already hard at work to ensure that President Obama is reelected in 2012 so that young people may have a brighter, healthier future. By holding the Republican Party accountable for their actions, we are sending our message loud and clear: young Americans cannot and will not be ignored. We deserve the opportunity to pursue a healthy, active life, and our ballots will reflect that desire in 2012.

The College Democrats of Rhode Island recently hosted an event called Of/By/For: The Rhode Island Student Political Bootcamp.  It was a bi-partisan event with the goal of energizing students in their state and providing them with the tools they need to win their issue in the political arena.  Howard Dean was the keynote speaker for the event, but they were also joined by local politicians, chairs of both parties, state senators, and former Congressman Bob Weygand for speeches and panels.  It was a 3-day event and most of the time was filled with trainings from Democracy for America, the Leadership Institute, and other local social organizations.

The trainings included topics on fundraising, grassroots lobbying, and earn media.    There were also a number of breakout sessions for networking purposes for the students, both informally (Rhode Island Jeopardy) and more formal sessions like a career fair.  The event was a fantastic opportunity to meet inspiring and active students from around the state, to discuss politics, and learn the many different aspects of working in politics.  The event was also a great opportunity for our state federation, as we gave members an active role in organizing and running the event, which helped us identify future leaders, and it was a great opportunity for all the chapters to get together before the spring convention. Around 125-175 students attended from most colleges and some high schools in Rhode Island.

On the third Monday of every January, our country recognizes the immeasurable contributions made by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Yet Dr. King’s message of equality and progress deserves more recognition than a single day. The famous “I Have a Dream” speech was more than a message; it was a call to action. Too often, we look at the progress our country has made and assume there is little to be done. Instead we must recognize that Dr. King’s message is just as potent and relevant in our country today. As Dr. King said, “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”

Martin Luther King Jr. will be forever remembered as a champion of civil rights and for his heroic leadership. A man who ultimately gave his life for the call for a greater civility, Dr. King was not just a leader; he was a servant of the people. Of himself, he said, “Yes, if you want to say that I was a drum major, say that I was a drum major for justice. Say that I was a drum major for peace. I was a drum major for righteousness.”

In honor of his memory and his life’s service the College Democrats of America Black Caucus Call on College Democrats – and all Americans – to commemorate the life of Dr. King by being drum majors for justice in their own communities. Whether that means volunteering to provide educational opportunities to an impoverished neighborhood, welcoming our veterans back to our communities, or fighting for voters’ rights and education, our is power lies in working together. Collectively we can make a difference.

Chicago is the perfect backdrop for this year’s conference, as we will have unique access to the campaign, from campaign headquarters to visits from senior campaign officials. A series of training sessions on such topics as effective communications and finance will culminate in an opportunity for members of both YDA and CDA to discuss ways to enhance collaborations in 2012.

A registration fee of $10 will give members access to the conference, including a meal. The Illinois College Democrats will serve as our ambassadors to the city, hosting a welcome party and helping chapter members have a great experience in Chicago. As we draw nearer to the conference, we’ll be giving you more information on accommodations, speakers, and other exciting details, so be sure to stay tuned! We hope to see you at this year’s CDA Winter Conference!