For anyone who (ignorantly, bizarrely, insanely) believes that there’s no difference between Democrats and Republicans…the U.S. House just voted 228-195 to codify the right to contraception into law. That’s right, in the year 2022, the right to *CONTRACEPTION* is under threat in America thanks to the far-right, extremist, Trumpist, theocratic Republican Party. Don’t EVER vote for these wackos!
NEW: the House just passed legislation to protect Americans’ access to contraception, after Justice Clarence Thomas urged the Supreme Court to overturn Griswold v. Connecticut. I voted YES; the final vote is below.
Just 8 Republicans voted to protect access to contraception. pic.twitter.com/ecPOe4EqxY
— Rep. Don Beyer (@RepDonBeyer) July 21, 2022
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, July 21, 2022
U.S. House Passes Spanberger-Backed Bill to Protect the Right to Contraception
Following the Supreme Court’s Decision to Overturn Roe v. Wade, the Legislation Would Protect the Right for Americans to Access Birth Control
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A majority of the U.S. House of Representatives today voted to pass Spanberger-cosponsored legislation to codify into federal law the right for Americans to access contraception.
Spanberger cosponsored the Right to Contraception Act following the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs vs. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which upended reproductive rights. In his concurrence, Justice Clarence Thomas explicitly called for the reconsideration of cases that have established Americans’ right to privacy — including the constitutional right to contraception.
“All Americans deserve the freedom to make their own private healthcare decisions without the government breathing down their necks,” said Spanberger. “In his concurrence in the Dobbs case, Justice Clarence Thomas called into question multiple rights based on our foundational right to privacy — including the right to decide if and when you can use contraception. Allowing our government to meddle in the reproductive healthcare decisions of the people it serves is an affront to the personal freedom granted to us as Americans. Today, I’m glad to see my colleagues in the House recognize the need to codify the right to access contraception, and I will continue to protect the privacy and due process rights of every American.”
Specifically, if signed into law, the Right to Contraception Act would:
- Create a statutory right for people to obtain contraceptives and engage in contraception;
- Establish a corresponding right for healthcare providers to provide contraceptives and information related to contraception;
- Allow the U.S. Department of Justice, as well as providers and individuals harmed by restrictions on contraception access made unlawful under the legislation, to go to court to enforce these rights; and
- Protect a range of contraceptive methods, devices, and medications used to prevent pregnancy, including but not limited to oral contraceptives, emergency contraceptives, and intrauterine devices.
The Right to Contraception Act is led in the U.S. House by U.S. Representatives Kathy Manning (D-NC-06), Nikema Williams (D-GA-05), Sara Jacobs (D-CA-53), and Angie Craig (D-MN-02).
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 21, 2022
McEachin Votes to Protect Access to Contraception
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman A. Donald McEachin (VA-04) voted to pass H.R. 8373, the Right to Contraception Act, to preserve Americans’ ability to obtain contraception and protect a range of contraceptives and emergency contraceptives.
“The conservative Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade has jeopardized the fundamental freedoms of women across the country,” said Rep. McEachin (VA-04). “Already, Republican-controlled states are attempting to restrict contraceptive methods. Contraception is fundamental to protecting bodily autonomy, advancing gender equality, achieving better health outcomes, and ensuring economic opportunity and mobility. I am proud to help pass the Right to Contraception Act to safeguard Americans’ ability to make their own decisions about their future.”
The Right to Contraception Act would:
Create a statutory right for people to obtain contraceptives and engage in contraception
Establish a corresponding right for health care providers to provide contraceptives and information related to contraception
Allow the Department of Justice, as well as providers and individuals harmed by restrictions on contraception access made unlawful under the legislation, to go to court to enforce these rights
Protect a range of contraceptive methods, devices, and medications used to prevent pregnancy, including but not limited to oral contraceptives, emergency contraceptives, and intrauterine devices.
Congressman A. Donald McEachin (VA-04), a member of the House Pro-Choice Caucus, is a staunch advocate for women’s reproductive rights. Last week, the Congressman voted to pass two additional pieces of legislation in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization: the Ensuring Women’s Right to Reproductive Freedom and the Women’s Health Protection Act.
Read more about the Right to Contraception Act here.
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