EMILY's List Takes Aim At 'Boehner's Boys': 'Leadership Needs To Reflect America, Not Just Your Cronies'

WASHINGTON -- EMILY's List, the political action committee aimed at electing pro-choice Democratic women to public office, is launching a new campaign Tuesday taking on John Boehner -- the man likely to become the next Speaker of the House -- and the "cronies" with whom he surrounds himself.

The campaign includes a Twitter feed and website urging people to not let "John Boehner and the Republicans turn back the clock." It specifically highlights Reps. Eric Cantor (R-Va.), Kevin McCarthy (R-Ca.), and Jeb Hensarling (R-Tex.) -- who are all likely to take leadership positions in the next Congress -- by pointing out their opposition to pro-choice measures, the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act to prevent wage discrimination and health care reform.

"The GOP may be pleased as punch about their new 'Boy's Club' leadership team, but Boehner's good ol' boys are up to no good when it comes to representing women," said Stephanie Schriock, President of EMILY's List. "For those of us who care about equal representation, it's just a sad throw-back to a time we thought we'd left behind. We need leadership that gives voice to everyone; and so today EMILY's List re-launches Boehner's America to tell John Boehner and his cronies not to turn back the clock for America's women. Like ashtrays in offices, some retro ideas should stay in the past."

"The American people -- men and women alike -- want a Congress focused on their priorities: stopping the tax hikes, cutting government spending, and helping small businesses create jobs," replied Boehner spokesman Michael Steel.

EMILY's List expanded its new media outreach significantly during the 2010 elections, most notably going after former Alaska governor Sarah Palin in a series of "Sarah Doesn't Speak for Me" ads.