The House of Representatives on Thursday passed legislation to defend access to contraception across the United States, a text sparked by fears of a Supreme Court reversal after its sea change on abortion.
228 elected officials, all Democrats and eight Republicans, supported the adoption of this bill. 195 Republicans opposed.
The text now risks tripping up in the Senate, where 10 Republican senators out of 50 would have to vote with Democrats, which seems unlikely given the tensions between the two parties.
Specifically, it enshrines in federal law the right to contraceptives authorized by the health authorities, including the morning-after pill, hated by the most radical opponents of abortion.
Disturbing statements by a Supreme Court judge
The text also protects health professionals who prescribe pills and other IUDs. It was introduced as an emergency after the Supreme Court’s decision on June 24 to revoke the right to abortion that it had guaranteed for almost 50 years.
In a written argument in support of this ruling, Conservative Justice Clarence Thomas considered that other rights, including contraception or same-sex marriage, could be reviewed. Although this position does not seem to be shared by the majority of his colleagues, it has aroused great concern on the left.
Elected Democrats, eager to stand out from their Republican peers ahead of November’s midterm elections, have since multiplied legislative initiatives.
The House, which they control, thus approved two bills last week to guarantee access to abortion, and another on Tuesday on gay marriage. His passage to the Senate seems very difficult.
Source: BFM TV
