Reproductive Rights and Health Advocates Call on Senate to Pass Right to Contraception Act

Washington, DC —  June 4, 2024 — The Senate is expecting to hold a crucial floor vote on the Right to Contraception Act this week, legislation reintroduced by Senators Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and Representatives Kathy Manning (NC-06), Nikema Williams (GA-05), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Angie Craig (MN-02), to protect an individual’s right to access contraception and the ability of health care providers to offer contraception and related information.

Advocates for reproductive rights and health call on the Senate to pass the Right to Contraception Act. Even though the right to birth control is already enshrined in the Constitution, attacks on contraception are increasing.  Recent polling shows that voters believe their access to contraception is at risk, and many believe that there is a real possibility that the Supreme Court could overturn the constitutional right to contraception. The Right to Contraception Act would provide an additional protection by enshrining this right in federal law.

“From the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the constitutional right to abortion, to Alabama judges putting IVF at risk, to state legislators considering bills to outlaw contraception, extremist policymakers and judges have made it crystal clear that nothing is safe in their quest to take away our rights and freedoms.” said Fatima Goss Graves, President and CEO at the National Women’s Law Center. “We need the Right to Contraception Act to safeguard our right to contraception and send a clear message that these attacks must stop. Everyone should have the right and ability to get the birth control they need when they need it, without barriers.”

“Everyone, no matter where they live, should be able to get the birth control they need when they need it, free from interference from politicians and judges. The Right to Contraception Act will help protect access from those seeking to interfere in people’s personal health care decisions,” said Alexis McGill Johnson, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Action Fund. “We know these ongoing attacks fall hardest on communities of color, young people, LGBTQ+ people, people with disabilities, and people working to make ends meet— the same people most impacted by attacks on abortion access. Nearly all voters support birth control access — we call on senators to listen to them and support this critical legislation.” 

“Donald Trump unleashed a wave of unprecedented attacks on reproductive freedom—including birth control—when he stacked the Supreme Court with an anti-abortion supermajority,” said Mini Timmaraju, President and CEO of Reproductive Freedom for All. “Anti-abortion Republican lawmakers emboldened by Trump and the end of Roe v. Wade are coming after all of our fundamental rights, including access to birth control. We must act now to protect it. Americans have relied on their constitutional right to contraception for nearly 60 years. We urge the U.S. Senate to protect people’s freedom to decide for themselves if, when, and how to become pregnant.”

“As an OB-GYN, I’ve seen firsthand that the right to birth control is essential for the well-being of my patients, their families and their communities,” said Raegan McDonald-Mosley, MD, MPH, CEO of Power to Decide, “For nearly six decades birth control has allowed millions of people to manage health conditions, plan if and when to have children and achieve their career and educational aspirations. We urge Congress to pass the Right to Contraception Act so that every person has the power to decide their future.”