Under the compromise President Obama announced today on contraceptive coverage, women will have access to free contraception and preventive care, regardless of where they work. 

But Republicans, and Marco Rubio, in particular, are trying to push back on this critical women's health issue. The Florida senator and rumored potential GOP vice presidential candidate recently released proposed legislation in response to the new birth control rule, and it's extreme. Rubio's plan would effectively permit any employer to deny someone contraceptive coverage. Or as Mother Jones puts it:

"In English, this means that no entity has to cover birth control in a health plan if it can point to a religious reason for not doing so. And the entity itself is not required to have any religious affiliation. It oculd just be a plain old corporation. That means that if the middle-aged white guy who runs your company is religious opposed to birth control, he can have it stripped out of your insurance plan—even if his Viagra is still covered. You could wake up the next morning and find you're still paying full price for drugs that you once got for free or at much-reduced prices."

Rubio's Religious Freedom Restoration Act isn't just a response to the President's plan. It's an outrageous example of putting politics ahead of women's health—and an outright violation of women's rights.

This afternoon, Mitt Romney proved he has to sell himself as "severely conservative"—his words—to woo the CPAC crowd.

What does "severe" conservatism entail, exactly?

• Romney would make the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy permanent.
• Romney would ask all undocumented workers to self-deport.
• Romney would privatize veterans' health care.
• Romney would let the foreclosure crisis "hit the bottom."
• Romney would have left troops in Iraq indefinitely.
• Romney would have "let Detroit go bankrupt."
• Romney would sign the Ryan budget into law—ending Medicare as we know it.
• Romney would repeal health reform, which has helped 2.5 million young people gain coverage.

Today, President Obama announced a contraception compromise that addresses religious concerns while ensuring women have access to free contraception and preventive care, regardless of where they work. You'll be hearing a lot about the compromise in the days to come, but here's the bottom line: This is good news.

Under the new rules, if a woman works for a religiously affiliated university or hospital that objects to providing contraceptive coverage, it is now the responsibility of her insurance company—not her employer—to provide her free birth control. And the rules for churches remain unchanged: No religious institution will have to provide contraception directly, but female employees will have free access to it if they want it.

Organizations like Catholic Health Services, Catholics United, Planned Parenthood, and NARAL have come out in support of the solution.

Contraception coverage has already been implemented in 28 states—and it's an important public health decision. Doctors prescribe contraception for many reasons, including preventive care: Continued use of birth control reduces the risk of some cancers, serious infections, and cysts. Medical research has confirmed contraceptions' benefits, but its cost often prevents women from using it—particularly those between 18 and 34. But beginning August 1, cost will no longer be a barrier to health. The President's health reform will ensure that contraception is covered with no out-of-pocket cost for all women.

Unlike Republicans like Mitt Romney, Speaker John Boehner, and Sen. Marco Rubio, the President has proved he will find solutions that protect women's right to make decisions about our health. Today's news makes it clear: We have an advocate in President Obama.

President Obama just emailed supporters this video with a note: "Five years ago today, a few thousand of us gathered in Springfield, Illinois, to launch an improbable campaign for president. … You've got to see this video about that journey—it will make you smile."

After Rep. Gabrielle Giffords stepped down from the House of Representatives to focus on her recovery, we asked Democrats nationwide to send her notes of support, encouragement, and, above all, gratitude for her service to our country.

The outpouring was incredible: More than 100,000 people sent notes to Rep. Giffords.

We've sent the notes to Tucson, but we wanted to make sure you saw the highlights. This word cloud of the most commonly used words was put together by one of Rep. Giffords's former constituents—and it gives you a sense of just how admired Rep. Giffords is by the American people.

My support for President Barack Obama goes deeper than politics.  I am extremely proud of all he has accomplished. He is taking our country in the right direction but he is much more than his legislative accomplishments.

The very first bill the President signed was the Lilly Ledbetter Act, which ensures that women receive equal pay for equal work.  He stopped the country from slipping into a depression and turned the economy around.  We’ve added nearly 3.7 million private sector jobs in his administration, and have had 23 straight months of job growth.

The President also made fundamental reforms to K-12 education so more kids can realize the dream of going to college, and he made it easier for students to pay for college once they get there. He also passed landmark health care legislation making health care more affordable for families and small businesses, and has brought much-needed transparency and accountability to the insurance industry. 

Aside from his legislative accomplishments, I support President Obama because he honors the legacy of our African American heroes and continues to be an inspiration to millions of young kids.  He’s living proof that if you study hard and play by the rules, you can accomplish all of your dreams.  And despite all of the pressures of being President of the United States, he still makes time to be a wonderful father and a loving husband.  In a world that sometimes sheds only on the negative, it is good to see that he is one of many exceptions.  I stand with the President because he sets an example through his politics and personal life for the rest of the country and he deserves a 2^nd term to keep fighting for the American people. 

To learn more about the President’s accomplishments, click here.

This evening, Mitt Romney is hosting a policy-conference-slash-fundraiser where lobbyists and executives for Wall Street, big oil, health insurance, and more can meet with him and his policy advisers for $10,000 per person.

In other words, Romney is selling influence to the highest bidders.

In response, Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz joined a group of concerned citizens who had gathered outside the policy conference to call out Romney.

She told reporters who had gathered that in her many years of elected office, she'd never seen anyone tie together policymaking and fundraising so tightly—and should concern all Americans that a potential president would so shamelessly sell his policy positions to the special interests.

"I'm sure it's no coincidence Mitt Romney has committed to repealing Wall Street reform while selling tickets to this conference to Wall Street executives and lobbyists for $10,000. That's why I'm here today with our supporters to call Romney out on his web of Washington influence that he has consistently created. Not only is it hypocritical. It's outrageous, and it demonstrates that Romney is the typical Washington-style politician he criticizes. It's something we're not going to allow him to get away with.

"It's unbelievable that Romney would have a policy conference and tie policy decisions to contributions, particularly contributions in the amount of $10,000 and more. That's the kind of special-interest influence we need to rid of in politics—but that Romney clearly would continue and expand.

"His campaign is essentially saying, come to this policy conference. Give us $10,000, and we will make sure we give you the policy you are buying at this event. That's unacceptable."

Want to see just how interconnected Romney's Washington web of influence is? Check out this infographic.

On February 8 the US Department of Housing and Urban Development announced $404 million in Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) to be allocated to nearly 300 tribes in 27 states to be used for a range of affordable housing activities.

“These funds are making a real difference in tribal communities each and every day,” said HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan. “Projects include affordable housing, infrastructure upgrades, community centers and safety programs that every community needs to thrive. These efforts are part of a broader commitment to ensure Native American communities can build their economies in response to their needs and as they see fit.”

With $250 million in IHBG funds still to be designated find out which communities have already received IHBG funds at HUD.gov.