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John
We can’t say they didn’t warn us. In his concurring opinion overturning Roe v. Wade, Clarence Thomas told us: After we repeal the right to abortion, contraception is next.
Now the Republican minority in the Senate has blocked the Right to Contraception Act, which lacked the 60-vote supermajority required to prevent a filibuster.
This bill would have protected Americans’ right to basic birth control, including the pill, Plan B, condoms, and IUDs.
The idea that the state could take away this most basic of rights to manage our own bodies is shocking, and yet from what we have seen from this Supreme Court, not in any way surprising. And, as usual, those with the least access to resources are the most vulnerable.
Fortunately, there is another path forward for this much-needed legislation. If a discharge petition currently in circulation in the House of Representatives receives enough signatures, it will overrule the Speaker of the House and force the Right to Contraception Act to a floor vote.
Send a letter today to ask your Representative: Do they support our right to contraception? Tell them to sign the discharge petition, force the vote, and stand up for our freedom to plan our families now. You can send a pre-written letter, or you can modify it to make it your own.
Contraception is basic healthcare. Not only does it prevent unintended pregnancies, but it is needed to protect the health of mothers, babies, and families. Access to contraception is directly linked to declines in maternal and infant mortality.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, the United States ranks 54th out of 227 countries in infant mortality, with more than 5 deaths per 1,000 births. Cutting off Americans’ access to standard forms of birth control would likely make our ranking significantly worse.
Some people may try to prohibit other people from using birth control due to their own personal religious beliefs. But it is simply not acceptable to allow some people’s religious beliefs to restrict everyone’s basic health care. Freedom of religion includes freedom from being forced to adhere to others’ religious practices.
We need our Representatives in Congress to step up and go on the record to state whether they support our right to access contraception. The Right to Contraception Act is a good first step, but further action is also needed. Funds are needed for low-income families to access all forms of contraception and birth control.
When and whether we decide to have children is no one else’s business! Send a letter today to your U.S. House Representative urging them to sign the discharge petition and protect our right to contraceptives now!
Thank you for fighting for basic healthcare and reproductive rights!
- Amanda
Amanda Ford, Director
Democracy for America
Advocacy Fund
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