On Wednesday, Senate Republicans prevented the discussion of a bill that aimed to establish a federal right to birth control. Republicans opposed the bill, claiming it was unnecessary and covered too many areas.
The vote did not pass with a vote of 51 against and 39 in favor. In order to move forward with voting on the main legislation, it required 60 votes. The legislation proposed by Senator Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and other Democrats is part of an effort to prioritize reproductive rights during an election year.
The goal is to make Republicans publicly oppose those efforts, especially since the GOP is having difficulty communicating its position on reproductive rights after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.
“We are going to have Contraception Day here in the United States Senate, and everyone will have to state their position,” Markey said at a press conference before the vote. “If someone claims that it’s not in danger, they should simply vote yes to confirm that right.”
The bill would ensure that individuals have the legal right to obtain and use contraception. It would also allow healthcare providers to offer contraception, provide information and referrals, and offer services related to contraception. This would include hormonal birth control pills, the “morning after” pill, intrauterine devices (IUDs), and other methods.
This proposal would prevent the federal government and any state from making or enforcing any laws, rules, or regulations that would stop or limit the sale or use of contraception.
“Don’t misunderstand.” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) expressed concern about Americans’ uncertainty regarding the use of birth control, which he considers to be one of the many negative outcomes of overturning Roe v. Wade. He made these remarks on the Senate floor on Wednesday.
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“In an ideal world, a law stating that you can get birth control without government interference should not be needed. However, due to the decline of reproductive rights in America today, it is extremely important.”
Republicans said the bill was not needed because they do not oppose contraception and there are no attempts to ban it.
Senator Bill Cassidy (R-La.) stated on the Senate floor that Senate Democrats, who currently hold the majority, are using their power to promote a false and exaggerated narrative about difficulties in accessing contraception. “This is not a problem unless the candidate they support for president is losing in the polls.”
However, the actions taken by Republican state legislators and governors in recent times indicate a contrasting narrative.
Democrats highlight Virginia as an example, where lawmakers approved a law to officially protect the right to contraception in the state constitution. Governor Glenn Youngkin, a Republican, rejected the bill.
Republicans also argued that the bill was too broad and could potentially require the use of abortion drugs instead of contraceptives. They also claimed that the bill infringed upon the religious freedoms of healthcare providers and religious organizations that are against contraception.
The National Republican Senatorial Committee recently sent a message to GOP Senate candidates, encouraging them to show their support for better access to birth control. They also asked them to promote a new bill introduced by Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) as an alternative option.
The bill introduces a new regulatory designation to promote the development of additional over-the-counter birth control methods. The first over-the-counter (OTC) birth control pill was approved last year and has recently become available in stores.
“My bill allows women who are 18 and older to go to any pharmacy, whether it’s in Red Oak, Iowa or Washington, D.C., and buy a safe and effective birth control option,” Ernst said on Wednesday.
However, the legislation would not apply to emergency contraceptives, which many Republicans confuse with other medications that cause abortion.
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