Senators accused each other of fear mongering as they prepared to vote on the Right to Contraception Act. In a statement, 22 Republicans said Democrats are “fear mongering” to “score cheap political points.”
“To suggest this bill expands abortion is vulgar fear mongering, plain and simple,” Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said.
“An individual has a statutory right under this Act to obtain contraceptives and to voluntarily engage in contraception, free from coercion, and a health care provider has a corresponding right to provide contraceptives, contraception, and information, referrals, and services related to contraception,” the Right to Contraception Act states.
Schumer is bringing the bill up for a vote in hopes of getting Republicans on the record, knowing it will not pass his chamber nor be voted on in the Republican-controlled House.
“I hope they’re not destined to fail,” Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., said. “The issues are extremely serious. We know what happened with the Dobbs decision. We are fearful what could happen in the courts, it’s important for Congress to express his views.”
Republicans privately debated whether they should vote “yes” on the bill which would allow them to bring forward amendments. Voting for the bill will also allow Republicans to bring forward an alternative bill proposed by Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, which they said has stronger religious exemption provisions.
“When Republicans vote ‘no,’ he basically gets what he wants,” Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas said. “So the question was, should we vote ‘yes’ to get on the bill and demonstrate that we do have a position that we can explain to the American people.”
Republicans are also pointing to specific sections of the bill they oppose that are hidden in legalese.
“The problem with the statute is it would force states to have sex change drugs, sterilization drugs, available for minor children, and my state, we banned those,” Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., said. “My legislature just did that, this legislation would override that. I strongly, strongly disagree with that.”
For instance, the bill defines contraception as “an action taken to prevent pregnancy, including the use of contraceptives or fertility-awareness-based methods and sterilization procedures.”
It also states a contraceptive means “any drug…approved… under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.” The abortion medication Mifepristone was approved under an amended version of that bill.
Republicans contend if this bill were only about contraception, it wouldn’t be necessary.
“There’s no state in the union that is trying to ban contraception. Nor could they because constitutionally, contraception is protected, which is as it should be,” Hawley said.
This isn’t the only bill without a future that Schumer has brought forward to get Republicans on the record. He brought forward a border bill that Republicans had already said they weren’t going to support, and he may bring forward a similar measure on IVF next week.
