Senators ‘fear mongering’ about contraception bill

Ray Bogan: Senators accused each other of fear mongering, as they prepared to vote on the Right to Contraception Act. 

Chuck Schumer: “To suggest this bill expands abortion is vulgar fear mongering, plain and simple,” Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-NY, said.   

Ray Bogan: In a statement, 22 Republicans said Democrats are “fearmongering” to “score cheap political points.” 

The Right to Contraception Act states: An individual has a statutory right under this Act to obtain contraceptives and to voluntarily engage in contraception, free from coercion, and a health care provider has a corresponding right to provide contraceptives, contraception, and information, referrals, and services related to contraception.

Senator Schumer is bringing this up for a vote hoping to get Republicans on the record, knowing it will not pass his chamber nor be voted on in the Republican controlled House. 

Ben Cardin: “I hope they’re not destined to fail. The issues are extremely serious,” Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., said. “We know what happened with the Dobbs decision. We are fearful what could happen in the courts, it’s important for Congress to express his views.”

Ray Bogan: Republicans privately debated whether they should vote yes on the bill which would allow them to bring forward amendments and an alternative bill proposed by Senator Joni Ernst which they say has stronger religious exemption provisions. 

John Cornyn: “When Republicans vote no, he basically gets what he wants. So the question was, should we vote yes, to get on the bill,” Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas said. “And demonstrate that we do have a position that we can explain to the American people.”

Ray Bogan: Republicans are also pointing to specific sections of the bill they oppose that are hidden in legalese. 

Josh Hawley: “The problem with the statute is it would force states to have sex change drugs, sterilization, drugs, available for minor children, and my state, we banned those. My legislature just did that, this legislation would override that. I strongly, strongly disagree with that,” Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo said. 

Ray Bogan: For instance:

The bill defines contraception as “…an action taken to prevent pregnancy, including the use of contraceptives or fertility-awareness-based methods and sterilization procedures.”

It also states a contraceptive means “any drug…approved… under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.” The abortion medication Mifepristone was approved under an amended version of that bill. 

Republicans contend if this bill were only about contraception, it wouldn’t be necessary. 

Josh Hawley: “There’s no state in the union that is trying to ban contraception. Nor could they because constitutionally, contraception is protected, which is as it should be,” Hawley said. 

Ray Bogan: This isn’t the only bill without a future that Schumer has brought forward to get Republicans on the record. He brought forward a border bill that Republicans had already said they weren’t going to support and he may bring forward a similar measure on IVF in the coming weeks.