Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (DN.Y.) announced in a “Dear Colleague” letter that the Senate will vote Wednesday on the Right to Contraception Act, timing the vote just before the two-year anniversary of the Supreme Court decision that annulled the right to abortion.
Schumer opened his letter by noting that June 24 will mark the two-year anniversary of the court’s ruling in Dobbs v. Wade. Jackson Women’s Health Organization and that at least 20 states now have near-total bans or severe restrictions on abortion.
“There is no doubt in the minds of the American people that Republicans have led our country to this point. And as Donald Trump recently reminded us, he is “proudly the person responsible” for the annihilation of Roe v. Wade. Wade and for the grotesque rollback of women’s personal freedoms,” Schumer wrote, referring to the reversal of the landmark ruling in 1973 that established a national right to abortion.
“Democrats have made clear that we will not tolerate these attacks and that we will fight to preserve reproductive freedoms. That’s why, as we return from the Memorial Day statewide work period, Senate Democrats will put reproductive freedoms at the forefront,” he wrote.
The Democratic leader began the process for the Senate to consider the Right to Contraception Act sponsored by Senators Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.).
The bill would guarantee the legal right of individuals to obtain and use contraception and of health care providers to provide contraception, information, referrals, and services related to contraception.
It would also prohibit the federal government and any state from administering or enforcing any law, rule, or regulation to prohibit or restrict the sale or use of contraceptives.
And it would allow the Department of Justice, service providers, and individuals harmed by restrictions on contraception to go to court to enforce these rights.
“Members should expect to vote on this legislation on Wednesday of this week. And there will be more action after that,” Schumer announced in his letter.
The vote, which aims to highlight differences between the parties on abortion rights and women’s access to health care, follows a messaging vote that Schumer scheduled last month on the Senate’s bipartisan border security agreement.
Schumer forced Republicans to hold a second vote on the border security deal, which was endorsed by the National Border Patrol Council and The Wall Street Journal editorial board, after they were blocked in February when it was attached to emergency aid. foreign exchange of US$95 billion. aid package.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) was the only Republican to vote for the border security bill in May when it reached the Senate floor for the second time.
Democrats are highlighting abortion rights and women’s reproductive rights ahead of the November elections, as polls show that a majority of voters trust them more than Republicans to handle the issue.
This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story
