The American people overwhelmingly support protecting access to basic birth control like IUDs, the pill, and condoms. Over 90% of Americans support the right to birth control, and over 80% agree on legislation protecting this right. The bill, which does not provide any protections for abortion, had widespread public support from Democrat and Republican voters alike.
Unfortunately, Senate Republicans once again ignored the American public and, for the second time in two years, blocked a bill to protect access to contraception at a national level, despite the bill’s widespread bipartisan support. Only two Republican senators broke with their party to support the bill that 81% of Americans, including 75% of Republicans, support.
Why Does the Right to Contraception Need to Be Protected?
The bill was first introduced after the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022, which prompted concerns that the right to birth control (granted by Griswold v. Connecticut) could also be overturned, following comments from Justice Clarence Thomas that the Court would reconsider the landmark decision.
While contraception rights are currently protected nationwide by an executive order from President Joe Biden, this could easily be overturned by a different President as they are not codified into law.
Because Congress failed to pass the Right to Contraception Act to protect birth control at the federal level, it’s at risk at the state level too unless individual states pass laws to protect it. While some states have passed their own Right to Contraception acts, others face opposition. In Virginia, Governor Glenn Youngkin recently came under fire for vetoing the bill in his own state, despite the bill passing the state legislature with bipartisan support.