OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Providing for Consideration of H.R. Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, Providing for Consideration of H.R. Right to Contraception Act; Providing for Consideration of H.R. Respect for Marriage Act, and for Other Purposes; and for Other Purposes

Floor Speech

Date: July 19, 2022
Location: Washington, DC

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Ms. ROSS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to discuss the urgent need to protect access to contraception.

Just a few weeks ago, the Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization stripped millions of women of the right to abortion care. After this decision, draconian abortion bans in States across the country immediately went into effect.

In my own State of North Carolina, Republican leaders have made it abundantly clear that they will take any opportunity to restrict our rights. Perhaps even more sinister than this decision are the opinions that accompanied it.

Justice Clarence Thomas' concurring opinion laid the groundwork for even greater government interference in the personal and family decisions of our people, including the right to use contraception. Make no mistake, the American people will not go backward on contraception.

We must codify Griswold v. Connecticut, which has protected women's right to make decisions about their own contraceptive healthcare for decades.

This week, we are considering the Right to Contraception Act. This critical legislation will safeguard contraception and its access in the face of these extreme attacks. Americans overwhelmingly support the right to contraception.

Madam Speaker, I hope to hear from my colleagues across the aisle about how they could do anything other than support expanding contraception in the wake of the Dobbs decision.

If my colleagues want to prevent abortions, why would they restrict resources to women who want to avoid unintended pregnancies?

Madam Speaker, I fought to expand access to contraception in North Carolina with support from legislators on both sides of the aisle. Twenty years later it is extremely disappointing that we could be going backward.

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Ms. ROSS. Madam Speaker, women across the country are more determined than ever to combat these relentless attacks on our freedom. I support the rule and the underlying bills.

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