Indian American lawmakers condemn Republicans for blocking contraception bill

Pramila Jayapal, Ami Bera, Raja Krishnamoorthi and Shri Thanedar give a call to “fight back to defend our freedoms”

By DesiMax Wire

Indian American lawmakers have criticized Senate Republicans for blocking passage of a bill to protect Americans’ access to birth control, one of several legislative actions Democrats have pledged on reproductive rights before the November elections.

Only Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) broke with the Republican Party to vote in favor of the legislation, which failed 51 to 39 — short of the 60 votes needed to advance, on June 5.

Four Indian American lawmakers, Pramila Jayapal, Ami Bera, Raja Krishnamoorthi and Shri Thanedar, all Democrats, took to social media to criticise the Republicans.

“Extreme MAGA Republicans are proud of their efforts to strip abortion access across the country. And now they’re going after birth control, contraception, and more. We must fight back to defend our freedoms,” posted Jayapal on X.

Condemning the move, Rep. Ami Bera wrote, “The stark contrast between the two parties on this issue is clear. I will not stop fighting until we codify the right to contraception and restore Roe as the law of the land.”

“I’m disappointed that the GOP blocked the Senate from guaranteeing access to birth control for the American people. This vote serves as a reminder that Republicans stand against reproductive freedom. Reproductive health care must be protected,” Krishnamoorthi posted on X.

Shri Thanedar condemned Senate Republicans for showing “their true colors by blocking the Right to Contraception Act, the only legislation that safeguards guaranteed access to birth control.”

“People—not politicians—should be the ones in charge of their own healthcare decisions,” he stressed.

The White House also criticized the move stating,“Contraception has come under attack by Republican elected officials following the Supreme Court’s devastating decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. Just earlier this week, Senate Republicans refused to support legislation to protect a woman’s fundamental right to contraception in every state.”

The bill would have codified Americans’ right to obtain contraception and the right of medical providers to dispense it.

Senate Republicans scuttled a voice vote on the same legislation in 2022, shortly after the fall of Roe, and again in 2023. But the roll call Wednesday allows Democrats and progressive groups to use members’ no-votes as ammunition.

“This week and in future weeks, Senate Republicans will have to answer for their anti-abortion, anti-women agenda,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer ahead of the vote. “And my Republican colleagues should know that the American people are closely watching.”

Ahead of the vote, the advocacy group Americans for Contraception set up a 20-foot, inflatable IUD a few blocks from the Capitol, and joined Senate Democrats in a press conference touting the bill.