June 04, 2024

Chairman Aguilar: Access to contraception is on the line in November

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar joined Democratic Whip Katherine Clark and Rep. Kathy Manning (NC-06) announcing a procedural move to force a vote on the Right to Contraception Act, a bill that would protect access to all forms of FDA-approved birth control.

CHAIRMAN AGUILAR: Thank you so much to Whip Clark for your unwavering support for reproductive care, and to Representative Manning for your leadership on this issue. 

Today is yet another opportunity for the Republican majority to do the right thing, to stand up with the American people for reproductive freedom. The Right to Contraception Act is common sense, and it ensures that women have safe access and affordable contraceptive care. 

This should be an easy decision for any reasonable Republican, but they are being held hostage by the most extreme members of their conference. And it's the American people who will pay the price. 

We know that if Donald Trump takes the White House, and the Republicans control the House and the Senate, they will pass a national abortion ban. They will ban life-saving medication, like Mifepristone, which has been safe for more than 20 years, and they will limit access to contraception care. We know this because they spelled it out in black and white in the budget released by the Republican Study Committee, which counts 80% of the House Republicans as members. And that anything they cannot accomplish legislatively, they will look to their most extreme allies and cheerleaders on the Supreme Court to get it done. 

We heard for years that Roe would not fall because the Supreme Court would not take such a drastic step, reactionary step and yet, two years ago to this month, as Whip Clark said, they struck it down. So, let's be clear: access to contraception is on the line. House Democrats have a plan to restore reproductive freedom, protect women's health and ensure that we continue to make life-saving care more accessible and more affordable.

So, let's join together to advance the Right to Contraception Act to ensure this fundamental right does not suffer the same fate.

Video of the full press conference can be viewed here.

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