A bill to codify access to contraception passed the House on Thursday as Democrats sought to safeguard the right in response to the Supreme Court.
But the measure (H.R. 8373) is unlikely to become law after anti-abortion groups linked it to both emergency contraception and the abortion pill mifepristone. The House Republican leadership did not openly oppose the measure, giving some Republicans cover to support the right to birth control.
The bill passed 228-195, with the support of eight Republicans. Two Republicans voted present.
“The combination of emergency contraception and IUDs is the tip of the iceberg of attacks on birth control,” said Mara Gandal-Powers, director of access to birth control at the National Women’s Law Center, referring to intrauterine birth control devices.
The legislation is part of a series of bills largely aimed at educating lawmakers on thorny issues related to pregnancy and abortion, Democratic leaders say. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) told reporters Wednesday that she wanted Republicans to join the bill, but warned “we’ll remember it in November” if they don’t.
BGOV Bill Summary: H.R. 8373, Access to contraceptives
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi speaks during an event leading up to the passage of H.R. 8373, the Right to Contraception Act, at the US Capitol on July 20, 2022.
Photographer: Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Nearly 60 years ago, the Supreme Court in Griswold v. Connecticut ensured the right to the birth control pill and contraception. When the high court struck down the longstanding right to abortion in June in Roe v. Wade, Justice Clarence Thomas also suggested that the court could review the right to contraception and same-sex marriage.
Leading anti-abortion groups, National Right to Life and Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, said they plan to outvote lawmakers. Both warned in statements that the bill would allow access to abortion pills.
Some states have tried to limit access to certain contraceptives. Idaho and Texas have prohibitions on funding for emergency contraception in certain state-funded health and family planning programs.
Read more: Insurers pushed for contraceptive coverage after Roe’s demise
Biden Action
The Biden administration has sought to clarify that pharmacists cannot deny patients medications they have been prescribed, including hormonal contraceptives or emergency contraception, because those individuals are pregnant or may become pregnant. See the article : Target will cover employee travel in other states for abortion, the company notes. The move was part of an effort to ensure the availability of abortion pills, contraceptives and emergency medical care for pregnant people.
The federal legislation would guarantee the right to access contraceptive measures and protect health care providers who prescribe and advise patients about contraceptive measures, both those approved by the Food and Drug Administration and those that are outside the purview of the agency. such as menstrual cycle tracking. .
Republicans who opposed the measure say the definition of contraception is too broad. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) called the bill “poorly drafted” and warned Thursday that it would allow “unrestricted abortions.” She said that Republicans support access to contraceptives, but this bill would go too far.
“Contraception is different from abortion,” he said.
The prospects for the bill in the Senate are unclear. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), one of only two supporters of abortion among Senate Republicans, told reporters Wednesday that she is working with Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) on legislation to codify abortion. Griswold’s right to contraception, among other rights related to pregnancy and abortion.
