Some Republican senators say they are ready to reconsider a House-passed bill protecting access to birth control, potentially leading to another surprise bipartisan response to the fallout from overturning Roe v. Wade.
Between the lines: Democrats are eager to force Republicans to go on record as not supporting birth control after the Supreme Court struck down federal abortion rights — and just months before the midterm elections. But there’s a chance the messaging account could turn out to be something more.
Breaking news: The House of Representatives on Thursday passed a bill to protect a person’s ability to access contraceptives, with eight Republicans joining all Democrats present in support of the legislation.
- House lawmakers focused on passing legislation in response to Justice Clarence Thomas’s concurrence overturning Roe v. Wade, saying the court should review “all of this Court’s substantive due process precedents,” including that guaranteeing access to birth control.
- Nearly 50 House Republicans joined Democrats this week in support of a bill that would repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and enshrine marriage equality in federal law.
What’s happening: A handful of GOP senators on Thursday wouldn’t rule out supporting the House contraception measure.
- A spokesman for Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, told Axios that the senator will review the legislation before deciding whether or not to support it.
- Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), who is vice chairman of the Senate Republican Conference, said she would “have to look into the matter more” when asked if she would support creating a federal right to use contraception.
- Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), a conservative considered a likely 2024 presidential candidate, said he does not support overturning Griswold v. Connecticut, a 1965 ruling that protects a married couple’s ability to access contraceptives, and wants to read the House bill to “make sure it’s really about contraception, not abortion.”
The other side: Sen. Richard Burr (RN.C.) told Axios he won’t support the legislation because it’s not Congress’ responsibility to pass laws based on Supreme Court decisions.
- Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) said that “there is zero threat of taking away contraception, it’s a made-up political issue.”
- Asked about the House’s passage of the bill, Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) said, “The House passes all sorts of unnecessary bills.”
Current Status: Senators are working on their own legislation targeting contraceptive access.
- Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), who supports the federal right to contraception, said she is “working on a measure with colleagues” to codify Griswold into federal law.
- Democratic senators are currently working to see if they can get the 10 Republican votes needed to advance the bill.
- On the House side, Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa) introduced an alternative bill that would allow people over the age of 18 to have access to over-the-counter birth control pills that are approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
Worth noting: Some Republicans may support a bill that protects the use of birth control, but not necessarily the specific legislation that has passed the House.
- “I think you would have found consensus in the Energy and Commerce Committee on preserving access to contraception if Democrats had chosen to work only with Republicans instead of throwing this bill to the floor a few days after it was introduced,” said Congressman Michael Burgess (R-Texas), who opposed the House bill.
Be smart: Republican lawmakers are facing pressure from anti-abortion groups to oppose a Democratic bill protecting access to contraceptives.
- Before the House vote, Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, an anti-abortion group, asked representatives to oppose the legislation, arguing that it “seeks to save the abortion industry, tramples on conscience rights and requires unfettered access to dangerous chemical abortion drugs.”
- Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the SBA, said in a statement that the bill was the Democrats’ “latest ploy” to protect abortion.
- Carol Tobias, president of the National Right to Life Committee, opposed the House bill, saying it goes “way beyond the scope of contraception.”
Add Comment