The atmosphere on Capitol Hill surrounding pending cabinet confirmations is practically a love-fest between the Clinton Administration and Congress, except for one. Members of the Senate Labor Committee have put off a hearing on the nomination of the fifth female (and first African American) Secretary of Labor, "pending a review of her political activities." Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-Miss(ogynous)) has said her participation on a committee in the Clinton campaign may have violated the law against political activities by government employees. Participation on the same committee by male nominee Rodney Slater for Secretary of Transportation was dismissed as insignificant in what was described as a "congenial" hearing on his nomination, where he was "warmly received". Call and fax (202-224-5128; fax 202-224-4543) Labor Committee Chair James Jeffords (R) and ranking member Ted Kennedy (D) to tell them to get off Herman's back and give her the same treatment they're giving the male nominees. President Clinton is standing by Herman, but our man Bill can always use a crutch for his convictions - call him at 202-456-1111; fax 202-456-2461; E-mail [email protected].

During the 50th Anniversary session of the UN in March, a Peace Petition from Women of the World will be presented to the General Assembly. Sponsored by women's NGOs, the petition decries the violence that war and poverty wreak on women and children, and demands that at least 5% of national military expenditures during the next 5 years be diverted to health, education and employment programs. To get the full text and sign on ASAP (deadline now) fax 212-750-5849; E-mail [email protected]

Thanks to the activism of WFF readers and many others, the law keeping guns out of the hands of domestic abusers passed last year. Police unions are now crying "foul" because some of their members are convicted batterers, and the law doesn't exempt them. Rep. Bob Barr (R-GA) has already introduced HR 26, exempting all previously convicted batterers (not just police) from compliance -- meaning only those found guilty after the law was passed will be subject to it. If you don't think convicted batterers ought to be carrying guns period, call your member of Congress. The original bill's sponsor, Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) says the law was meant to be retroactive and "the lives of thousands of battered women and abused children are at stake." Encourage Lautenberg to stick to his no guns at 202-224-4744; fax 202-224-9707, E-mail: [email protected].

Regular WFF readers know that the struggle to get the suffrage statue out of the basement of the Capitol and into the rotunda has now lasted longer than the suffrage struggle itself. Last year women were bamboozled into raising the money for the move privately (even as Congress appropriated funds for a Spiro "I am a crook" Agnew bust). More than 100 days after Congress finally passed a resolution (9/28/96) to get it up, the statue is still in the basement. Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) has published a "State of the Statue" broadsheet chronicling the sidesteps and excuses and announcing a "Next Excuse" contest. What do you think it will be? Fax your entry to Maloney's Office, Attn: Excuses at 202-225-4709. (Hint: "It's ugly," and "It's too heavy" have already been used.)

The anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the Supremes' 1973 decision legalizing abortion, doesn't come 'till next Wednesday, but anti-abortion violence started yesterday with the bombing of a Georgia family planning clinic. Bombing the clinics out of existence is one way to keep women from exercising their constitutional rights, but another is passing anti-abortion legislation. The upcoming Congress may be the most anti-choice in history, and early action is expected to try and overturn President Clinton's veto of the so-called "partial birth" abortion ban. The group "Focus on the Family" has been working since right after the election to line up the 12 additional votes needed in the Senate to override the veto. Thousands of ant-abortion zealots will march on Washington next Wednesday. Counter their numbers will calls to the Hill (202-224-3121) urging your member of the Senate to stand with women against the override. Put some starch in Bill's shorts to stand on his principles by calling the White House comment line (202-456-1111; fax 202-456-2461) or E-mail [email protected].

The Welfare Reform Network of New York City, organizers of the Just Say Veto campaign against last year's smellfare bill, are now organizing to put pressure on President Clinton to fulfill his campaign promise to repair the damage. The Network is organizing the National Fix it Now! campaign the week of January 20 to organize nationwide. Using the slogan "Soup is not a safety net," they will set up a soup kitchen near the inaugural site in Washington to help highlight the problem. They'll also provide materials for you to conduct actions in your area and provide a resource kit for action to keep economic security and employment for poor women on the front burner. To help, organize or get more info call Liz Accles at 212-344-0195 or fax 212-533-8792.

Jan. 22: 24th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade. Many candlelight vigils and other actions will be held around the country. Call your local Planned Parenthood, NARAL, or NOW chapter for actions in your area. Every body counts!

1997 promises great opportunities for activists, since the new Congress is still in the hands of a mostly anti-woman majority. The new 105th Congress has 51 women members of the House (up from 48) and 9 female Senators (no change). According to the Feminist Majority, at this rate it will take 280 more years -- year 2276 -- for women to hold half of the Congressional seats. The 145 pro-choice and 64 mixed representatives of the 105th are still a minority against 221 anti-choice members. For the first time, the Senate is anti-choice, with only 35 solidly pro, against 14 mixed and 50 anti. This combined with the sometimes weak commitment of the administration will mean WFF activists will be needed more than ever -- not to mention fighting the garden-variety sexism in the culture, the schools, and the media. We don't expect an individual to take action on every one of our items, but if we each pick one or two a week our voices can be heard.

Jill Barad of Mattell, Inc. put a tiny crack in the glass ceiling this month by becoming the second CEO of a Fortune 500 company on January 1st. The bad news? Jill made her mark at Mattell while in charge of the Barbie line (hey, how about calling her what she is, and coming out with Bimbo Barbie?). In other not-so-good glass ceiling news, The 1996 Catalyst Census of Women Corporate Officers reports that only 57 women held positions in the highest ranks of corporate America in 1995, compared with 2373 men. To request an order form for the full report showing the breakdown from earnings to board participation in the Fortune 500, call Catalyst at 212-777-8900; fax 212-477-4252.