House passes bill codifying right to contraception


The House on Thursday passed legislation enshrining the right to contraception nationwide, in hopes of protecting the issue from future Supreme Court decisions a la Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization.
Named The Right to Contraception Act, the bill would establish federal protections for those in need of and those who provide contraceptives, as well as "allow the Justice Department and entities harmed by contraception restrictions to seek enforcement of the right in court," NBC News writes. Eight Republicans — including Reps. Adam Kinzinger of Illinois and Liz Cheney of Wyoming — voted alongside all 220 Democrats.
The push to codify the right to contraception into law arrives following similar votes regarding the right to an abortion and the right to same-sex and interracial marriage. Despite clearing the House, all three measures now face long odds in the Senate (though the Respect for Marriage Act might actually pull it off).
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
After Justice Clarence Thomas suggested in his concurring Dobbs opinion that other federal protections widely considered settled law be revisited, Congressional Democrats have moved to enshrine such policies in legislation. The votes also act as a "final argument" ahead of midterms, in which Democrats hope to "draw a sharp contrast with the GOP by painting the party as extreme on social issues that are broadly popular with voters," writes The Washington Post.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brigid Kennedy worked at The Week from 2021 to 2023 as a staff writer, junior editor and then story editor, with an interest in U.S. politics, the economy and the music industry.
-
Today's political cartoons - March 29, 2025
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - my way or Norway, running orders, and more
By The Week US Published
-
5 tactically sound cartoons about the leaked Signal chat
Cartoons Artists take on the clown signal, baby steps, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Roast lamb shoulder with ginger and fresh turmeric recipe
The Week Recommends Succulent and tender and falls off the bone with ease
By The Week UK Published
-
The JFK files: the truth at last?
In The Spotlight More than 64,000 previously classified documents relating the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy have been released by the Trump administration
By The Week Staff Published
-
Supreme Court upholds 'ghost gun' restrictions
Speed Read Ghost guns can be regulated like other firearms
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump sets 25% tariffs on auto imports
Speed Read The White House says the move will increase domestic manufacturing. But the steep import taxes could also harm the US auto industry.
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump allies urge White House to admit chat blunder
Speed Read Even pro-Trump figures are criticizing The White House's handling of the Signal scandal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Waltz takes blame for texts amid calls for Hegseth ouster
Speed Read Democrats are calling for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and national security adviser Michael Waltz to step down
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Judge: Nazis treated better than Trump deportees
speed read U.S. District Judge James Boasberg reaffirmed his order barring President Donald Trump from deporting alleged Venezuelan gang members
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US officials share war plans with journalist in group chat
Speed Read Atlantic editor Jeffrey Goldberg was accidentally added to a Signal conversation about striking Yemen
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Canada's Mark Carney calls snap election
speed read Voters will go to the polls on April 28 to pick a new government
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published