What is the ‘Right to Contraception Act’? A look at how the bill failed and what was in it
In the midst of an election year, Democrats pressed for a Senate vote on reproductive rights, presenting the Right to Contraception Act, championed by Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass. The legislation aimed to solidify individuals’ rights to access contraception and safeguard healthcare providers’ ability to dispense contraceptives. However, falling short of the required 60 votes, the measure faced a 51-39 defeat, with only Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, crossing party lines to support it.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., strategically altered his vote to “nay,” a procedural maneuver enabling the bill’s potential reconsideration in the future. The vote effectively compelled senators to take a stance on an issue pivotal to voters, highlighting the contrasting positions of the two major parties. With memories of the recent Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade still fresh, Democrats seized the opportunity to underscore Republican opposition to reproductive rights, potentially swaying voters ahead of the upcoming elections.
Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, emphasized the stakes, framing access to contraception as a fundamental right imperiled by Republican agendas. President Joe Biden echoed these sentiments, condemning Republican attempts to defund crucial healthcare programs like the Title X Family Planning Program, characterizing such actions as detrimental to women’s autonomy and well-being.
In a parallel narrative, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas hinted at the possibility of revisiting Griswold v. Connecticut, the landmark case securing access to birth control. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump cautioned his GOP colleagues against overreaching on abortion restrictions, recognizing the potential backlash from voters.
Ahead of the vote, Republicans dismissed the legislation as redundant, denouncing it as “stunt legislation” and downplaying any perceived threat to contraception access. Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., led the charge, along with 21 other Republican senators, decrying Democratic attempts to politicize the issue for electoral gains.
In contrast, Democrats utilized online platforms to rally support for the bill, underscoring their commitment to protecting reproductive rights and healthcare access for all.