US Senate fails to clear universal contraceptive access bill after Republicans block it

Senate Republicans on Wednesday (June 5) voted to block a bill which was placed on the table by Democrats to ensure guaranteed access to contraception bills across the US,bringing the controversial issue into sharp focus ahead of November’s presidential elections.

The bill, the Right to Contraception Act, was envisioned to be enshrined into federal law which will give individuals a right to buy and use contraceptives as well as allow health care providers to provide them.

The bill, if it were made into law, will be applicable to birth control pills, condoms, the plan B pill, and other forms of contraception.

Add WION as a Preferred Source

Also Read:US Elections: Trump turns criminal convictions into campaign gold

However, the legislation was not passed in a procedural vote, with the final tallyat 51 to 39. The effort was dismissed by most Republicans as a political messaging vote which is unnecessary and overly broad.

GOP Senators Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski crossed over to vote as Democrats remained in favour of moving ahead with the bill. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer voted a no at the last minute.

Republicans call the legislation a political ploy by Democrats

In his remarks after the bill did not pass, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said, "Today was not a show vote. This was a 'show us who you are' vote. And Senate Republicans showed the American people exactly who they are."

"The Right to Contraception Act simply says, if you want to access birth control or if you're a healthcare provider wanting to prescribe birth control, the government has no right to interfere. Doesn't that seem like common sense?" Schumer said.

Watch:Heatwave warnings hit Western US

Republicans called the legislation a political ploy by Democrats and opposed it because they found it containing overly broad language which can be interpreted as including some abortion-related medications.

Texas Republican Sen. John Cornyn said, "It's not a serious attempt to legislate, this is just a show vote in anticipation of the election."

"Democrats think they can win this case, this election based on reproductive rights and somehow they're suggesting that contraception is in jeopardy, which is just blatantly false," he added.

(With inputs from agencies)