Protecting right to contraception is the goal of a new push in Congress from NC lawmaker

The U.S. House plans to vote this week on a bill introduced by North Carolina’s Rep. Kathy Manning to protect a person’s right to access contraception. 

Manning, a Democrat who represents a portion of the Triad, introduced the bill last week in response to the Supreme Court’s decision in June to overturn Roe v. Wade, a 1973 decision that protected a person’s right to an abortion. 

Manning’s bill is one of two — the other would ensure the right to same-sex marriage — that the House plans to take up this week to make certain that other freedoms Americans currently have aren’t jeopardized by the court’s decision. A separate opinion by Justice Clarence Thomas called for reconsideration of the right to contraception and same-sex marriage. 

“I will not stand idly by and allow extremist politicians to interfere with Americans’ right to make personal health care and family planning decisions,” Manning said in a written statement. “I’m urging all my colleagues to join me in voting for this critical legislation.” 

The bill has four key elements. It ensures the right for people to obtain contraception, allows health care providers to give contraception and related information to patients, allows the Department of Justice, providers and individuals harmed by restrictions on contraception access the right to sue and protects a range of contraceptive models, devices and medications to prevent pregnancy. 

The bill also clarifies that access to contraception is not limited to preventing pregnancies but would be legal to use for other health benefits. On Tuesday morning, Rep. Deborah Ross, a Democrat representing Wake County, spoke on the House floor in support of Manning’s bill and called on Congress to codify Griswold v. Connecticut, a landmark case that gave married couples the right to contraception. 

“Make no mistake, the American people will not go backward on contraception,” Ross said. “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?” 

Last month, on the anniversary of Griswold v. Connecticut, Manning introduced a resolution reaffirming the right to access contraception. Manning is part of the House Pro-Choice Caucus and the Black Maternal Health Caucus. 

She sent her constituents a survey last week asking their opinion on protecting the right to access contraception. She worked with three Democrats, Reps. Nikema Williams, of Georgia; Sara Jacobs, of California and Angie Craig, of Minnesota, to introduce the bill.