June 05, 2024

Duckworth Calls Out MAGA Republicans’ Anti-Choice Crusade, Urges Senate Passage of the Right to Contraception Act Which She Co-Leads

 

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Ahead of the Senate vote today on the Right to Contraception Act, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—who is a co-lead of the legislation alongside U.S. Senators Ed Markey (D-MA) and Mazie Hirono (D-HI)—called out extreme MAGA Republicans’ anti-choice efforts that are putting birth control—including plan B, IUDs and other forms of contraception—under threat. In her remarks, the Senator underscored the urgent need for the Senate to pass this pro-choice, pro-freedom legislation that would codify the right for every American to access contraception and would help put millions rightfully in charge of their own bodies, their own health and their own future. Senator Duckworth’s full remarks can be found on YouTube.

Key Quotes:

  • “What our legislation would do is in the name—it would codify every American’s right to access birth control, no matter their zip code, and prohibit any state from enacting laws that would infringe upon that right. Because the freedom to decide if, when and how someone becomes a parent should belong to individuals. Not Republican politicians.”
  • “Many Republicans will say we’re being overzealous and that there’s no real threat to birth control. Well, they also said we were overreacting when we said Republicans were coming for Roe. They said we were overreacting when we said IVF and the right to build our families on our own terms would be next. But this is not an overreaction. This has been Republicans’ plan all along.”
  • “If Republicans were really pro-freedom, they’d help us pass this important legislation to protect the freedom of every American to decide what happens to their own bodies, their own careers and their own futures.”

Senator Duckworth’s full remarks as delivered can be found below:

Good afternoon, everyone!

Thank you, Senator Hirono. It’s great to be here with you all today.

Let’s be perfectly clear: birth control is basic health care.

But in the nearly two years since the Supreme Court threw out Roe v. Wade, we’ve seen extreme MAGA Republicans across the country work to roll back health care and tear reproductive freedom away from Americans.

And as a result of these barbaric efforts, birth control, including plan B, are under threat.

That’s the nightmarish reality that millions of Americans are living in a post-Roe world. It’s not a hypothetical future, it’s what’s happening every day.

Because they don’t care that birth control is safe, effective and an important part of reproductive care.

They don’t care that contraception helps millions of women treat conditions like endometriosis, PCOS and even helps decrease the risk of certain cancers.

They don’t care that they are making it even harder for Black and Brown communities, LGBTQ+ Americans, people with disabilities and other marginalized communities from accessing the health care they need.

And they don’t care that access to contraception bolsters military readiness.

If they did, they wouldn’t have cheered when Roe v. Wade was overturned two years ago this month.

That’s why I am incredibly proud to join Senator Markey and Senator Hirono in pushing for our Right to Contraception Act, which will be brought to the floor for a vote today.

What our legislation would do is in the name—it would codify every American’s right to access birth control, no matter their zip code, and prohibit any state from enacting laws that would infringe upon that right.

Because the freedom to decide if, when and how someone becomes a parent should belong to individuals. Not Republican politicians.

Our legislation also establishes a right for doctors to provide contraception without fear of being prosecuted or thrown in jail.

The decision to seek out and use birth control is an extremely personal one, and every doctor should be able to discuss resources and options with their patients to help decide which form of contraception might be best for them.

Many Republicans will say we’re being overzealous and that there’s no real threat to birth control.

Well, they also said we were overreacting when we said Republicans were coming for Roe.

They said we were overreacting when we said IVF and the right to build our families on our own terms would be next.

But this is not an overreaction. This has been Republicans’ plan all along.

When we vote on this bill today, we’ll make it clear once and for all who supports the freedom of every American to access contraception if and when they need it and who plans to continue their right-wing attacks and exert further control over women’s bodies.

If Republicans were really pro-freedom, they’d help us pass this important legislation to protect the freedom of every American to decide what happens to their own bodies, their own careers and their own futures.

So today, I will vote YES to pass the Right to Contraception Act to protect our rights. Thank you.

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