The House on Thursday passed a bill that would codify contraception rights federally amid concerns over the Supreme Court’s new far-right majority, The New York Times reports.
The bill, which is almost certainly doomed in the Senate, passed 228 to 195.
Nearly all Republicans opposed the measure. Just eight Republicans voted in favor while two others voted “present.”
Reps. Liz Cheney, Adam Kinzinger, Nancy Mace, Anthony Gonzalez, John Katko, Fred Upton, Brian Fitzpatrick and Maria Elvira Salazar were the only Republicans to back the measure.
“My state is banning exceptions — PROTECT CONTRACEPTION,” a sign taped to Mace’s blazer said.
The bill would protect Americans’ rights to purchase contraception and protect health care providers.
“You can’t ban abortion and then not protect women’s access to contraceptives,” Mace said on Twitter.
Supreme Court fears:
The House passed the bill, along with other mostly party-line bills that would codify the right to abortion and same-sex marriage, amid concerns over the Supreme Court’s abortion decision. Justice Clarence Thomas in his opinion urged the court to revisit precedent that legalized contraception and same-sex marriage nationwide.
“An extreme G.O.P., an extreme Supreme Court, they want to take away your freedom and your control over your own lives. We are in an absurd time,” said Minnesota Democrat Angie Craig. “Quite frankly, I’m appalled that we have to vote on this damn bill at all. This is not an extremist issue. This is an extremist G.O.P,” she said Thursday.
GOP opposes:
Republicans roundly opposed the measure, arguing that it was a “Trojan horse for more abortions.”
Washington Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers said the bill would send more funding to Planned Parenthood, which provides both abortions and contraception.
“Rather than work with us, Democrats again are spreading fear and misinformation to score political points,” she said.
