Capitol Update, brought to you by the American Nurses Association
Capitol Update, a legislative newsletter for nurses
Volume 6/Issue No. 8 October 31, 2008
Article Photo Capitol Update Election Edition

A Nurse's Perspective

For many reasons, I have been extremely interested in politics my entire life. Being a nurse for twenty-five years, I have often viewed politics though that identity. So when I was invited by the ANA to attend an Obama rally right in my own backyard as a representative of Nurses for Obama, I jumped at the opportunity.
2008: The Year of Pro-Nurse Advocates!

By voting on November 4th, you could help bring pro-nurse advocates to Capitol Hill. Legislators elected in November will be confronted with a bevy of issues that affect not only nursing, but healthcare in general. Some of these issues include nurse staffing, education funding, and health care reform. Without maximum voter turnout from ANA members, their friends, families, colleagues, and even their patients, it will be impossible to elect legislators who will pass nurse-friendly legislation in the upcoming 111th Congress.
American Nurses Association Cosponsors Pre-Presidential Debate Luncheon at Hofstra University

The American Nurses Association continued the fight to bring health care back to the forefront of the Presidential election by co-sponsoring a health care focused luncheon before the Presidential debate at Hofstra University in Hempstead, NY. Modeled after two hugely successful health care events held at the Democratic and Republican Conventions, the bipartisan event "America's Health Care on Life Support: How should the Presidential Candidates Respond," was attended by many ANA members, staff, policy experts and Hollywood celebrities.
Letter to ANA Members From ANA President Rebecca M. Patton on the Obama-Biden Endorsement

ANA President Rebecca M. Patton, MSN, RN, CNOR wrote the following letter to ANA members addressing questions and/or concerns they may have had about ANA's recent endorsement of Senator Barack Obama (D-IL).


Know Your Rights When Going to the Polls

In addition to the contest for President, there are a number of other important reasons to make your voice heard at the polls this year: 75% of the states' 7,382 legislative seats are up for election; 44 states will hold legislative elections, along with Puerto Rico, American Samoa and the Virgin Islands; 11 governors' seats are up; 28 legislative chambers are considered battlegrounds; and all 435 members of the U.S. House of Representatives and 35 Senate seats are up for election with 156 ballot measures under consideration nationally. There is a lot at stake. Know your rights when you head for the voting booth on November 4!
Copyright 2008 American Nurses Association
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House GOP Faces Tough Odds on Election Day

House Republicans hoped to keep their loses to a minimum during the 2008 elections but the recent down turn in the economy has made them targets to lose as many as 20 seats. Take a look at a few of the candidates the ANA-PAC has endorsed in the 2007-2008 election cycle. Most of these incumbents and challengers have exciting, and likely tight, races on November 4th.
Senate Democrats Poised to Retain Majority...But Can They Get to That Magic Number 60?

Senate Democrats are looking to not only keep the Majority, but they are also trying to reach the elusive 60 seats necessary to have a filibuster-proof Senate.
Being Part of History in the Making

A Nurse's Perspective

I have been involved in campaigns and politics longer than I care to admit (my husband characterizes my activities as "Carol's strange hobby!"). This election cycle, I've been in "campaign mode" since the beginning of 2008, and I have loved every minute, including some of the disappointments.

ANA Statement on Recent Political Ads

The American Nurses Association wants to clarify any misconceptions that may have arisen from several political ads that recently began airing in several battleground states.
ANA-PAC's Congressional Endorsement Process

With only a few days until the November 4th elections, ANA's Government Affairs team wants to make sure our members know and understand ANA-PAC's endorsement process for candidates seeking federal office.
ANA-PAC Presidential Endorsement Process

The American Nurses Association (ANA) has endorsed a candidate in each presidential election since 1984. For the 2008 election, ANA continued to follow the 1985 House of Delegates (HOD) resolution directing the Association to engage presidential contenders of all parties in endorsement considerations.