Manning Introduces Legislation to Protect the Right to Contraception

Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Kathy Manning (NC-06), joined by Congresswomen Nikema Williams (GA-05), Sara Jacobs (CA-53), and Angie Craig (MN-02), introduced the Right to Contraception Act. This critical legislation would codify the right for Americans to access birth control into federal law.

Rep. Manning’s bill introduction follows the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs vs. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which upended reproductive and substantive due process rights, and Justice Thomas’ concurrence explicitly calling for the reconsideration of the constitutional right to contraception.   

“Americans’ reproductive freedom, including the longstanding right to contraception, is at risk under this extreme Supreme Court and Republican state legislatures across the country. We have already seen state governments attempt to restrict contraceptive methods and obstruct people’s private health care choices,” said Congresswoman Manning. “Contraception is key to achieving gender equality, improving health outcomes for women and their families, bolstering educational and economic opportunity for all, and ensuring people are in control of their own bodies and futures. I’m introducing the Right to Contraception Act to safeguard Americans’ right to make critical decisions about their own health and family planning, free from political interference.”

“Our rights and access to abortion are hanging by a thread. But they’re not just coming for abortion — they’re coming for contraceptives, LGBTQ+ rights, and more. While birth control is no substitute for abortion access, access to contraception is critical to control our own bodies, reproductive health care, and futures. Thank you to Reps. Manning, Jacobs, Williams, and Craig for introducing the Right to Contraception Act to ensure that this right is protected. This is an all hands on deck moment and we’re grateful to have leaders in Congress who are stepping up with urgency and conviction," said Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO, Planned Parenthood Federation of America

“The Supreme Court’s devastating and illegitimate decision on abortion has unleashed chaos and emboldened those who want to come after our fundamental rights, including our right to birth control. At the National Women’s Law Center, we are hearing from people who are scared about losing the right to birth control.  And we’ve been tracking attempts by state legislators and some members of Congress to target birth control and restrict access to it or make it illegal. Everyone deserves the freedom to decide when or whether they want to grow a family, and we’re grateful to Representatives Manning, Jacobs, Williams, Craig, and other members of Congress for introducing the Right to Contraception Act,” said Mara Gandal-Powers, Director of Birth Control Access & Senior Counsel, NWLC.

Specifically, the Right to Contraception Act would:

• Create a statutory right for people to obtain contraceptives and engage in contraception;
   
• Establish a corresponding right for health care providers to provide contraceptives and information related to contraception;
   
• Allow the Department of Justice, as well as providers and individuals harmed by restrictions on contraception access made unlawful under the legislation, to go to court to enforce these rights; and
   
• Protect a range of contraceptive methods, devices, and medications used to prevent pregnancy, including but not limited to oral contraceptives, emergency contraceptives, and intrauterine devices.

This bill is endorsed by the following organizations: National Women’s Law Center, NARAL Pro-Choice America, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association, Power to Decide, National Partnership for Women & Families, Reproductive Health Access Project, Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs, Catholics for Choice, National Organization for Women, National Center for Lesbian Rights, National Women’s Health Network, Urge: Unite for Reproductive & Gender Equity, Jewish Women International, National Council of Jewish Women 

Congresswoman Manning is a member of the House Pro-Choice Caucus and the Black Women’s Maternal Health Caucus. In Congress, she has worked to preserve, protect, and advance policies to improve and ensure reproductive freedoms and improve maternal health. Congresswoman Manning introduced the Advancing Maternal Health Equity Under Medicaid Act, a bill to expand access to vital health services during and after pregnancy for people with Medicaid coverage, advance reproductive and maternal health justice, and save lives. Additionally, Congresswoman Manning recently introduced a resolution reaffirming the right to access contraceptives on the anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court case, Griswold vs. Connecticut.

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