Underwood Votes to Pass the Right to Contraception Act to Oppose Republicans’ Extremist Agenda to Criminalize Contraception

WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) voted to pass the Right to Contraception Act, legislation which she helped introduce. The Right to Contraception Act protects the right to obtain and use contraception. By overturning Roe, the ultra-conservative Supreme Court paved the way for legal challenges to the right to contraception, guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment’s right to privacy.  

“Extreme Republican plans to ban contraception absolutely jeopardize women’s lives and their health,” said Underwood. “Contraception is a crucial part of preventive health care that millions rely on, and it’s not only used to prevent pregnancy, but can also treat serious medical conditions. My vote today to pass the Right to Contraception Act affirms that reproductive health care is health care and guarantees that people have the freedom to make health decisions about their families and futures.” 

Watch Underwood’s full remarks at the press conference ahead of the vote here.

Ninety-six percent of Americans support women having access to birth control. It is crucial to preventing unintended pregnancies, preventing and treating medical conditions, and decreasing the risk of certain cancers. The Right to Contraception Act, cosponsored by Underwood, establishes a federal right to obtain contraceptives, including oral contraception, emergency contraception, and IUDs, and for health care providers to provide contraceptives and information related to them. This legislation also protects against state laws that attempt to restrict access to contraceptives and affirms the U.S. Attorney General’s authority to bring civil actions against any state that attempts to do so.  

While Republicans are controlling and criminalizing women seeking essential health care, Underwood and her Democratic colleagues are taking action to protect reproductive freedoms nationwide. Last week, Underwood voted to pass the Women’s Health Protection Act, legislation she cosponsored, which would establish the federal right for health care providers to offer abortion care and the federal right for patients to receive that care. She also voted to pass the Ensuring Women’s Right to Reproductive Freedom Act, which she cosponsored. The legislation would help stop Republican lawmakers from criminalizing, fining, or suing women who travel across state lines to obtain an abortion.  

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