WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-5) and Congresswoman Kathy Manning (NC-6) announced they filed a ‘Discharge Petition,’ a measure that could force the Republican-controlled House to vote on the Right to Contraception Act, legislation to codify the right to access all forms of FDA-approved birth control. 

This action follows the consequences of the Dobbs decision and actions from Republican-controlled states that have blocked legislation to protect birth control and enacted restrictions on certain forms of birth control. 

“The choice to use birth control should be yours and yours alone. But nearly two years after dismantling Roe v. Wade, MAGA Republicans are still waging their assault on reproductive freedom — targeting everything from contraception to the abortion pill to IVF," said Democratic Whip Katherine Clark. “House Republicans have a choice to make: either sign this discharge petition or put their anti-freedom extremism in full view of the American people."

“Extremist Republican politicians are waging war on women’s reproductive health. They’ve stripped women of their constitutional right to obtain an abortion, attacked fertility treatments, and are now attempting to restrict access to birth control. The attacks on birth control are another step in extremist Republican politicians’ plot to control women’s bodies,” said Congresswoman Kathy Manning. “That’s why I’m leading the charge to force Congress to take a vote on my Right to Contraception Act, to ensure every American has the right to access the full range of FDA-approved birth control and keep politicians out of private medical decisions."

“Like tens of millions of people across the country, I’ve used different forms of birth control throughout my life – from birth control pills to an IUD to Plan B. Birth control should be a valid and viable choice for anyone; but for too many marginalized people, it’s not – because of politics. That’s why I’m proud to support this discharge petition to bring the Right to Contraception Act to the House Floor for a vote. The American people need to know where we stand on protecting this right to essential health care,” said Congresswoman Sara Jacobs.

“Washington Republicans have doubled down on their efforts to take away our personal freedoms in the two years since Roe was overturned, and now they're using the courts to get us closer to a federal abortion ban. I’m working in Congress to protect every woman’s right to control her own body with legislation like the Right to Contraception Act, and I’m proud to stand with my colleagues in defense of reproductive rights,” said Congresswoman Angie Craig.

“Millions of people rely on contraception every day. Contraception is essential health care, and it must be protected. I have used contraception as a treatment during my struggle with endometriosis–I’ve lived with endometriosis since I was 14 years old. It is time for extremist Republicans to stop with the political games, to listen to the people, and to join us in making the Right to Contraception Act law of the land. The discharge petition being introduced today is our call to action. 218 members can bring the Right to Contraception Act to the House floor to help us begin to restore full reproductive freedom in this country,” said Congresswoman Nikema Williams, Vice Chair of the Democratic Women’s Caucus.

Congresswoman Manning first introduced the Right to Contraception immediately following the Dobbs decision, which called into question other longstanding constitutionally protected rights. Justice Thomas’ concurring Dobbs opinion explicitly called for the reconsideration of the constitutional right to contraception. 

Congresswoman Manning’s legislation passed the House in the 117th Congress with 195 Republicans voting against the legislation, and the legislation was blocked by Republicans in the Senate. 

The Right to Contraception Act, reintroduced in June 2023, has over 200 cosponsors in the House.

Specifically, the Right to Contraception Act would:

  • Create a statutory right for people to obtain contraceptives and engage in contraception;
  • Establish a corresponding right for health care providers to provide contraceptives and information related to contraception;
  • Allow the Department of Justice, as well as providers and individuals harmed by restrictions on contraception access made unlawful under the legislation, to go to court to enforce these rights; and
  • Protect a range of contraceptive methods, devices, and medications used to prevent pregnancy, including but not limited to oral contraceptives, emergency contraceptives, and intrauterine devices.
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