Senate to vote on bill to guarantee access to contraception

The Senate is expected to vote Wednesday on a bill that would guarantee access to contraception nationwide, as Democrats seek to draw a contrast with Republicans in the run up to November’s elections.

The Senate is expected to vote Wednesday on a bill that would guarantee access to contraception nationwide, as Democrats seek to draw a contrast with Republicans in the run up to November’s elections. The bill – the Right to Contraception Act – would enshrine into federal law a right for individuals to buy and use contraceptives, as well as for health care providers to provide them. It would apply to birth control pills, the plan B pill, condoms and other forms of contraception. The legislation is expected to fail to advance in a procedural vote because of opposition from Republicans, who have dismissed the effort as a political messaging vote that is unnecessary and overly broad. “This is a show vote. It’s not serious,” GOP Sen. John Cornyn of Texas said. “Plus, it’s a huge overreach. It doesn’t make any exceptions for conscience. … It’s a phony vote because contraception, to my knowledge, is not illegal. It’s not unavailable.” The vote is part of a larger push by Senate Democrats to draw attention to how the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade has affected all aspects of reproductive health – not just abortion – as the election draws closer. Democrats are highlighting the issue this month, which marks the two-year anniversary of the high court’s ruling. “In the coming weeks, Senate Democrats will put reproductive freedoms front and center before this chamber, so that the American people can see for themselves who will stand up to defend their fundamental liberties,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said ahead of the vote.