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Indian-American lawmakers condemn Republicans for blocking bill protecting contraception access
Although the test vote secured a 51-39 majority on June.5, it fell significantly short of the 60 votes required to advance the legislation.
Representative Image. / Unsplash
After Senate Republicans thwarted legislation aimed at safeguarding women's access to contraception, Indian-American Democrats have expressed their strong dissatisfaction.
On June.5, a test vote on the Right to Contraception Act secured a 51-39 majority. However, it fell significantly short of the 60 votes required to advance the legislation. Republicans contended that the bill was merely a political maneuver as Democrats undertake an election-year initiative to compel GOP senators to take a stand on reproductive rights matters.
In response to this, Indian-American Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal said in a post on X, “Extreme MAGA Republicans are proud of their efforts to strip abortion access across the country. And now they’re going after birth control, contraception, and more. We must fight back to defend our freedoms.”
Representative Ami Bera also condemned the move.
Senate Republicans just voted to block the Right to Contraception Act.
— Ami Bera, M.D. (@RepBera) June 5, 2024
The stark contrast between the two parties on this issue is clear.
I will not stop fighting until we codify the right to contraception and restore Roe as the law of the land. pic.twitter.com/CLwVM7AgK3
“I'm disappointed that the GOP blocked the Senate from guaranteeing access to birth control for the American people. This vote serves as a reminder that Republicans stand against reproductive freedom. Reproductive health care must be protected,” Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi said in a post on X.
Indian-American Congressman Shri Thanedar emphasized that people should be able to control their healthcare decisions.
Yesterday Senate Republicans showed their true colors by blocking the Right to Contraception Act, the only legislation that safeguards guaranteed access to birth control.
— Congressman Shri Thanedar (@RepShriThanedar) June 6, 2024
People—not politicians—should be the ones in charge of their own healthcare decisions.
The White House also released a statement condemning the move. “Contraception has come under attack by Republican elected officials following the Supreme Court’s devastating decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. Just earlier this week, Senate Republicans refused to support legislation to protect a woman’s fundamental right to contraception in every state,” it said.
The bill, spearheaded by Senators Ed Markey, D-Mass., and Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, seeks to establish nationwide rights for individuals to access contraceptives and to voluntarily engage in contraception. It defines contraceptives as "any drug, device, or biological product intended for use in the prevention of pregnancy" and prohibits the federal government or states from enforcing laws or standards that hinder that right. Additionally, it grants authority to the Justice Department and affected private entities to sue to enforce the new protections.
In March this year, the Republicans endorsed a national abortion ban with zero exceptions for rape or incest. The ban supports the elimination of reproductive freedom for all women in every state and puts IVF treatment squarely on the chopping block through House Republicans' support for the Life at Conception Act.
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