Congresswoman Sara Jacobs Co-Leads Legislation to Protect the Right to Contraception
The Right to Contraception Act would codify a right to contraception into federal law
In a continued effort to address the Supreme Court overturning the Roe v. Wade decision, Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (CA-53), joined by Reps. Kathy Manning (NC-06), Nikema William (GA-05), and Angie Craig (MN-02), introduced the Right to Contraception Act, codifying access to birth control in federal law. Majority Leader Hoyer announced today that this legislation will move to the House floor for a vote next week.
The bill’s introduction follows the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs vs. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which eliminated the constitutional right to an abortion, and Justice Thomas’ concurrence explicitly calling for the reconsideration of the right to contraception.
“As a young woman, reproductive health care is my health care. And like all reproductive rights, the right to contraception is vital to our wellbeing and our freedom,” said Congresswoman Sara Jacobs. “It’s unconscionable to me that right-wing Supreme Court Justices would once again threaten our ability to make decisions about our own bodies and when to start or grow a family. I will never stop fighting to protect the right to an abortion, the right to contraception, and all reproductive rights – and I’m proud to co-lead the Right to Contraception Act.”
“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 Jonhson, 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.
The bill is endorsed by 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, and National Council of Jewish Women.
Jacobs also recently introduced the My Body, My Data Act (H.R. 8111, S. 4434) with Senator Mazie Hirono and Senator Ron Wyden, legislation to create a new national standard to protect personal reproductive health data, enforced by the Federal Trade Commission. She has also been a longtime champion of reproductive health care and reproductive freedom, sharing her personal experience freezing her eggs and her efforts to expand fertility and reproductive health care as a Member of Congress earlier this year. She is an original co-sponsor of the Women’s Health Protection Act, which passed on the House floor today, and she is a co-sponsor of the Access to Infertility Treatment and Care Act, legislation to expand insurance coverage for the full range of reproductive and fertility health care.
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