[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 95 (Tuesday, June 4, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S3938]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       RIGHT TO CONTRACEPTION ACT

  Mr. SCHUMER. So, Mr. President, tomorrow, the Senate will take 
action. Tomorrow, the Senate will defend the freedom of choice with a 
vote on the Right to Contraception Act, led by Senators Markey and 
Hirono.

  Federal protections for contraceptives are a critical piece of 
protecting women's reproductive freedoms, and this legislation would 
codify the right to contraception into Federal law. As MAGA Republicans 
continue to block protections for access to contraception on the State 
level--in States like Virginia, Nevada, and Arizona--it is all the more 
reason to move to protect contraception at the Federal level.
  To those who think that Federal action in protecting access to birth 
control is unnecessary, just look at what is happening in States like 
Virginia and Nevada and Arizona, where Republicans are openly blocking 
these very protections.
  I would hope that protecting access to birth control would be the 
definition of an easy, uncontroversial decision here in the Senate, but 
the vote will tell all when we gavel in tomorrow. And there will be 
more action to come.
  Last night, I began the rule XIV process for the Right to IVF Act, 
led by Senators Duckworth and Murray and Booker, to place it on the 
legislative calendar and make it available for consideration on the 
floor. I intend to bring this legislation protecting access to IVF up 
for a vote very soon.
  Millions of Americans have relied on IVF to have children, but after 
a stunningly radical decision by the Alabama Supreme Court jeopardized 
access to IVF, families are rightfully worried that this option could 
be stripped away. So Senate Democrats will act to safeguard and 
strengthen IVF access for all Americans so that everyone has a chance 
to start a family.
  In the coming weeks, Senate Democrats will put reproductive freedoms 
front and center before this Chamber so that the American people can 
see for themselves who will stand up to defend their fundamental 
liberties.

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