Senate Republicans prevented a bill on Wednesday that desired to build a federal right to access contraception, defeating the Democratic-led proposal.
Senate Republicans Block Bill to Access Contraception
The Right to Contraception Act vote concluded at 51-39, falling short of the 60 votes needed to overcome an obstruction. Republicans contended the bill wasn't necessary because contraception is already sheltered by Supreme Court precedent.
Republican Representatives Lisa Murkowski of Gold Country and Susan Collins of Maine upheld the charge nearby Democrats. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y, changed his vote to "no " for procedural information, permitting him to revive the bill later.
Democrats expected the GOP would prevent the measure and used it to highlight distinctions between the parties on reproductive rights, a strategy aimed at petitioning independents and swing voters in the forthcoming election.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass, conveyed issues by saying, "We saw what the Supreme Court did on abortion, and now there's a real risk they may do the same thing on contraception." She critiqued Republicans for endeavoring to cater to both radical bunches and the common open with clashing messages
The legislation, initiated by Sens. Ed Markey, D-Mass, and Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, looked to protect national rights to procure and utilize contraceptives and defend healthcare suppliers who permit them.
It defined contraceptives broadly and aimed to prevent federal and state interference. The bill also empowered the Justice Department and private entities to enforce these protections through lawsuits.
Top Republicans criticized the vote as a partisan gesture. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, dismissed it as a "show vote" and argued that contraception is not illegal, suggesting the bill's necessity was overstated.
Democrats Argued That The Bill Was Crucial
Democrats countered that the bill was essential, citing a lack of trust in the Supreme Court to uphold its precedent on contraception, especially after the 2022 decision that ended federal abortion rights.
They pointed to Justice Clarence Thomas's suggestion to reconsider precedents like Griswold v. Connecticut and a survey indicating that 1 in 5 Americans believe the right to contraception is at risk.
Sen. Schumer highlighted the ongoing threats to reproductive freedoms and criticized the impact of hard-right politics on these issues.
Murkowski, who supports reproductive rights, reiterated her support for the bill, saying her message was clear: "I support a woman's access to contraception."
The vote was one of several "messaging" bills as the 2024 election approaches. Other recent efforts include a bipartisan border security bill by Senate Democrats and a House bill by Republicans to prevent noncitizens from voting, addressing issues to appeal to their respective voter bases.
Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., argued the contraception bill was unnecessary and expressed concern it might establish rights for abortion medication like mifepristone, which he emphasized is not a contraceptive.
During a lengthy lunch meeting on Tuesday, Senate Republicans debated their strategy. Some, like Collins, proposed amending the bill, but the consensus was to move on from the vote quickly.
This internal disagreement highlighted the lack of coordinated leadership, as criticized by Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., during the meeting.
Ultimately, the decision was to filibuster the bill and prevent Democrats from advancing other messaging legislation, such as IVF protections, soon.
Related Article: Supreme Court Abortion Pill Case Could Initiate Challenges to Other Drugs, From IVF to Birth Control
