House of Representatives on Thursday passed the bill 228–195.
QUICK FACTS:
- The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday passed 228–195 the “Right to Contraception Act” (H.R. 8373), which attempts to codify a federal right to obtain birth control.
- Eight House Republicans—including Reps. Liz Cheney (WY), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA), John Katko (NY), and Adam Kinzinger (IL)—sided with the Democrat-led legislation, although most Republicans voted against it.
- Of those who voted against the bill, Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz (R) said, “I support contraception. I’ll be voting NO on the ‘contraception bill’ today. Contraception likely needs protection FROM congress more than it needs protection BY congress,” adding, “If there is any entity you don’t want involved in your contraception choices – it’s the federal gov.”
- Democrat Representative Kathy E. Manning (NC) introduced the bill.
- The bill moves on to be voted on in the Senate.
LIST OF HOUSE REPUBLICANS WHO VOTED ‘YEA’:
| Cheney | Republican | Wyoming | YEA |
| Fitzpatrick | Republican | Pennsylvania | YEA |
| Gonzalez (OH) | Republican | Ohio | YEA |
| Katko | Republican | New York | YEA |
| Kinzinger | Republican | Illinois | YEA |
| Mace | Republican | South Carolina | YEA |
| Salazar | Republican | Florida | YEA |
| Upton | Republican | Michigan | YEA |
BACKGROUND:
- The Right to Contraception Act was passed following the Supreme Court’s recent move to strike down the Roe v. Wade case that for decades provided a constitutional right to abortion.
- Congress.gov says there is no updated version of the bill to be viewed as of yet, but American Faith has obtained a copy of the bill text “as introduced” to the House, which can be read below.
