The Congresswoman Cosponsored the “Right to Contraception Act,” Which Would Protect the Right to Access Contraceptives Following the Supreme Court’s Decision to Overturn Roe v. Wade

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger today backed legislation to codify the right for Americans to access birth control into federal law. The U.S. House is expected to vote on this legislation later this week.

Spanberger cosponsored the Right to Contraception Act following the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs vs. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which upended reproductive and substantive due process rights. Justice Clarence Thomas’ concurrence explicitly called for the reconsideration of multiple rights — including the constitutional right to contraception.  

“Following the Dobbs decision, we know that many lawmakers across the country are looking to undermine additional rights beyond the right to choose — including the right to contraception,” said Spanberger. “Such attacks are an affront to personal freedom and the ability of Americans to make their own decisions. Today, I’m proud to announce that I am cosponsoring legislation that would protect these freedoms. Going forward, I am committed to protecting an individual’s right to access contraception, a provider’s right to make contraception available, and the rights afforded to the American people for generations.”

The Spanberger-backed legislation would create a statutory right for providers to dispense contraception and provide information about contraception, as well as for patients to access contraception. The bill would also create a statutory definition of contraception for the very first time. The bill would not impact insurance coverage of contraception.

Specifically, the Right to Contraception Act would:

• Create a statutory right for people to obtain contraceptives and engage in contraception;

• Establish a corresponding right for healthcare providers to provide contraceptives and information related to contraception;

• Allow the U.S. Department of Justice, as well as providers and individuals harmed by restrictions on contraception access made unlawful under the legislation, to go to court to enforce these rights; and

• Protect a range of contraceptive methods, devices, and medications used to prevent pregnancy, including but not limited to oral contraceptives, emergency contraceptives, and intrauterine devices.

The Right to Contraception Act is led in the U.S. House by U.S. Representatives Kathy Manning (D-NC-06), Nikema Williams (D-GA-05), Sara Jacobs (D-CA-53), and Angie Craig (D-MN-02).

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