If you need any proof Republicans are determined to make sure women have no control over their own bodies and reproductive healthcare, it’s all here in black and white.  On Wednesday, June 5, 2024, Senate Republicans. Except two WOMEN, voted “Nay” on the Right To Contraception Act.  This url will take you to the Senate roll call to see for yourself how your Senators voted:

  U.S. Senate: U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 118th Congress - 2nd Session 

 

Vote Summary 

 

Question: On Cloture on the Motion to Proceed (Motion to Invoke Cloture: Motion to Proceed to S. 4381 )

Vote Number: 190

Vote Date: June 5, 2024, 03:33 PM

Required For Majority: 3/5

Vote Result: Cloture on the Motion to Proceed Rejected

Measure Number: S. 4381

Measure Title: A bill to protect an individual's ability to access contraceptives and to engage in contraception and to protect a health care provider's ability to provide contraceptives, contraception, and information related to contraception.

Vote Counts:

YEAs  51

NAYs  39

Not Voting  10

*Information compiled through Senate LIS by the Senate bill clerk under the direction of the secretary of the Senate

Two Republicans, Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski, supported the bill. Chuck Schumer voted no for procedural reasons,so he can bring it up for a vote again. Otherwise, every Democrat voted yes (except for Senator Menendez, who didn’t vote.)

In case you wonder what the bill would have done, it’s simply this (per the Hill):

The bill would guarantee the legal right for individuals to get and use contraception and for healthcare providers to provide contraception, information, referrals, and services related to contraception. It would apply to hormonal birth control pills, the “morning after” pill, intrauterine devices (IUDs), and other methods. 

It would also prohibit the federal government and any state from administering or enforcing any law, rule, or regulation to prohibit or restrict the sale or use of contraception. 

In the words of Jessica Craven from Chop Wood, Carry Water http s://chopwoodcarrywaterdailyactions.substack.com/, “If your Senator is a Republican and voted against this bill AND IS UP FOR REELECTION, please call them out. Tell your friends and family to do so as well, over and over. Post about it on your social media platforms. Make sure people who ignore the news know what they did. Anyone who currently or in the future plans to use contraceptives should be aware of and making noise about this appalling vote.”

“Folks, we knew this bill would fail. We know who Republicans are. We know they aren’t kidding about coming after ALL of our freedoms. Not everyone does. Talk to people you know about this vote. Explain its ramifications. Help them understand that their fundamental freedoms are under threat—really.“

“Access to contraception is an issue Americans care about and upon which they are largely agreed. Let’s rally around it. And when talking about Republicans’ position on it, be sure to use the words “extreme and out of touch” often. They’re effective, pointed, and true.”

Those are words of advice we should all follow.