Senate GOP blocks birth control access bill
The vote to protect contraception fell short amid Republican opposition
What happened
The Senate voted 51-39 on Wednesday to advance the Right to Contraception Act, short of the 60 votes needed to overcome a Republican filibuster. Two Republicans, Sens. Susan Collins (Maine) and Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) joined all Democrats present to vote for the legislation, which would establish a nationwide right to "obtain contraceptives and to voluntarily engage in contraception," and for health care providers to distribute birth control.
Who said what
Republicans called the bill an unnecessary messaging "stunt" and said they understood it was an "effort to force them to take an unpopular vote," The New York Times said. "But the vast majority of them did so anyway, a sign of the strength of the anti-abortion lobby." In fact, "far-right conservatives have been trying to curtail birth control access" by falsely redefining certain types of contraception, notably the morning-after pill and IUDs, as "abortifacients," The Washington Post said.
"If it's a messaging bill, my message is I support a woman's access to contraception," Murkowski said.
What next?
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has scheduled a vote next week on a Democratic bill to protect in vitro fertilization, saying Democrats will continue to "put reproductive freedoms front and center" so voters "can see for themselves who will stand up to defend their fundamental liberties." IVF, also broadly popular, technically runs afoul of fetal "personhood" bills backed by many Republicans.
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.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
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
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
War Horse: revival 'retains the power' of the epic original
The Week Recommends Life-sized puppet horse at the heart of the show is a 'true wonder'
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
The Week Recommends Rake in the changing of the leaves with a series of autumn shows
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Trump is already claiming election fraud
In the Spotlight Officials are 'rattled' by threats of prosecution ahead of the 2024 election
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Suspect charged with trying to assassinate Trump
Speed Read A federal grand jury in Miami indicted Ryan Routh
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Biden gives final UN speech, vows 'things can get better'
Speed Read President Joe Biden addressed the United Nations General Assembly for the last time
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
1 of 6 'Trump Train' drivers liable in Biden bus blockade
Speed Read Only one of the accused was found liable in the case concerning the deliberate slowing of a 2020 Biden campaign bus
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon kill at least 492
Speed Read It was the deadliest day between Israel and Hezbollah in decades
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Sri Lanka veers left, elects Marxist
Speed Read Newly elected president Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the leader of a Marxist party, promised to fight corruption
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Congressional leaders unveil bill to avert shutdown
Speed Read House Speaker Mike Johnson has a plan to fund the government and avoid a shutdown
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Hezbollah vows revenge for Israel pager bombs
Speed Read Hassan Nasrallah said Israel will be punished for explosive attacks; meanwhile, Israel carries out more strikes
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
NC candidate said he was 'Black Nazi' on porn site
Speed Read North Carolina GOP governor nominee Mark Robinson made a series of disturbing comments on a message board
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published