Right to Contraception

Senate Democrats Press Release:

WASHINGTON - Last week, Senate Republicans blocked the Right to Contraception Act, commonsense legislation to protect Americans’ reproductive freedom after the Dobbs decision. The American people know that Senate Republicans overwhelmingly voted for the MAGA Supreme Court justices nominated by Donald Trump to overturn Roe.

The plain truth: Senate Republicans keep voting no because they do not support Americans’ right to reproductive freedom. Republicans claim that they support contraception – but they refuse to vote for legislation that would actually show that support. They’ve used that excuse before – in 2022, the Senate voted to codify marriage equality into law by passing the Respect For Marriage Act. Republicans claimed they supported marriage equality and that the effort was just for show – then, those same Republicans voted against marriage equality.

As Majority Leader Schumer said, voting to protect reproductive freedom isn’t a show vote – it is a show-us-who-you-are votes. This week, Senate Republicans will have the opportunity to join Senate Democrats and protect American families’ access to IVF – will they join us, or will they show the American people who they really are, yet again?

SENATE REPUBLICANS REFUSED TO SUPPORT MARRIAGE EQUALITY – CLAIMING IT WAS A “SHOW VOTE”

Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX): “Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas said the effort is a ‘show vote’ and Democrats are playing politics.” [AP, 9/8/22]

Sen. John Thune (R-SD): “And I don't think it's an issue right now that anybody's talking about.” [CNN, 7/20/22]

Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI): “The Respect for Marriage Act is another example of Democrats creating a state of fear over an issue in order to further divide Americans for their political benefit. Even though I feel the Respect for Marriage Act is unnecessary, should it come before the Senate, I see no reason to oppose it” [CNN, 7/21/22]

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL): “As he was walking on an elevator on Wednesday, GOP Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida told CNN that a vote on a bill to codify same-sex marriage was a ‘stupid waste of time.’” [CNN, 7/21/22]

Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-ND): “I have to think about it ... seems gimmicky to me.” [Axios, 7/14/22]

Sen. James Lankford (R-OK): “Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) told reporters it was ‘interesting drama that the Democrats are trying to put on to say everything's at risk… the media attention that this has gathered, which is exactly what I'm looking for to try to make people across the country afraid.’ [Daily Beast, 7/20/22]

Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA): “Bill Cassidy of Louisiana suggested he’s a no on the bill. He argued it is a ‘silly messaging bill.’ ‘It’s a pure messaging bill. I mean, it’s obviously settled law right now,’ Cassidy said. ‘This is a pure messaging bill by a party which has failed on substantive issues, be it inflation, crime or the border, and now are looking for cultural issues in order to somehow do better in November.’ Asked if he would vote for it, Cassidy wouldn't answer. ‘It's such a silly messaging bill, I’m just not going to address that.’ [CNN, 7/20/22]

Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO): “The premise here is a false premise, so I wouldn’t be inclined to take the bait.” [Axios, 7/14/22]

THEN THOSE SAME SENATE REPUBLICANS VOTED AGAINST MARRIAGE EQUALITY

Argus Leader: “South Dakota’s congressional delegation did not support recent legislation to federally protect same-sex and interracial marriages, and require all U.S. states to recognize them. But that legislation, the Respect for Marriage Act, is set to be signed by President Joe Biden on Tuesday.” [Argus Leader, 12/13/22]

Texas Tribune: “U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz and John Cornyn both voted against federal protection for gay and interracial marriage Tuesday, though the full Senate passed the bill with bipartisan support.” [Texas Tribune, 11/29/22]

Washington Post: Ron Johnson flips on gay marriage bill after saying he saw ‘no reason to oppose it’ [The Washington Post, 9/8/22]

WPLG: Rubio, Scott explain votes against bill protecting same-sex marriage [WPLG, 11/30/22]

InForum: North Dakota's Hoeven, Cramer vote against law to protect gay marriage rights [InForum, 11/16/22]

News on 6: Oklahoma Senators Vote Against Respect For Marriage Act [News on 6, 11/21/22]

NOLA.com: “Both Louisiana senators — Bill Cassidy, R-Baton Rouge, and John N. Kennedy, R-Madisonville — voted against the measure.” [NOLA.com, 11/29/22]

Springfield News-Leader: Roy Blunt votes ‘yes’ on same-sex marriage protections, Josh Hawley votes ‘no’ [Springfield News-Leader, 11/16/22]

NOW, SENATE REPUBLICANS REFUSE TO SUPPORT ACCESS TO CONTRACEPTION AND IVF – CALLING IT A “SHOW VOTE”

Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX): “This is a show vote. It’s not serious.” [CNN, 6/5/24]

Sen. John Thune (R-SD): “These votes have nothing to do with legislating and everything to do with boosting democrats' electoral chances” [Senate Floor, 6/5/24]

Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI): “There is no threat to access to contraception, which is legal in every state and required by law to be offered at no cost by health insurers, and it’s disgusting that Democrats are fearmongering on this important issue to score cheap political points” [Press Release, 6/4/24]

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL):  “There is no threat to access to contraception, which is legal in every state and required by law to be offered at no cost by health insurers, and it’s disgusting that Democrats are fearmongering on this important issue to score cheap political points” [Twitter, 6/5/24]

Sen. James Lankford (R-OK): “Sen. Lankford says the ‘Right to Contraception Act’ introduced by Senate Democrats and voted on Wednesday was a ‘show vote’ to try and portray Republicans as against contraception.” [Bartlesville Radio, 6/6/24]

Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO): “There is no state in the union that is trying to ban contraception, nor could they, because constitutionally contraception is protected.” [Fox News, 6/5/24]

BUT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE NOT FOOLED – THOSE SAME SENATE REPUBLICANS ARE VOTING AGAINST REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOMS

NBC News: Senate Republicans block bill to protect access to contraception. “Senate Republicans blocked legislation Wednesday that would enshrine a federal right to access contraception, sinking the Democratic-led measure.” [NBC News, 6/5/24]

South Dakota Searchlight: Thune, Rounds among Republicans blocking contraception access bill from moving ahead [South Dakota Searchlight, 6/5/24]

WisPolitics: “U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Oshkosh, opposed the bill, which he dismissed as a political stunt and another way for Dems to use the legal system to ‘advance their radical agenda.’” [WisPolitics, 6/6/24]

The Floridian: Rubio, Senate Republicans Block ‘Fake’ Contraception Bill [The Floridian, 6/6/24]

Missouri Independent: “Missouri Sens. Josh Hawley and Eric Schmitt, both Republicans, joined in the effort to block the bill” [Missouri Independent, 6/5/24]

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Senate Democrats Press Release