The nation's largest feminist advocacy group is putting its muscle behind Rep. Joe Sestak's Democratic primary campaign for the U.S. Senate, citing his support of workplace equality for women and for gay rights.
Sestak is scheduled to receive the endorsement of the political action committee of the National Organization for Women today in Pittsburgh, a boost in his tough battle for the party nomination against Sen. Arlen Specter (D., Pa.).
"Congressman Sestak is very strong on our issues," NOW president Terry O'Neill said in an interview. "We think he has the ability to win this race."
Sestak, a retired Navy admiral in his second term in the House, has proposed a Gender Equity Act, which among other things would eliminate caps on gender-discrimination lawsuits against large businesses, double the child-care tax credit to $6,000 a year, and allow women to continue earning partial Social Security credit when they leave the workforce to care for a child or other family member.
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/pa/20100305_NOW_will_back_Sestak_for_Senate_today.html