Rep. Axne Votes to Protect the Right to Contraception for Iowans

Press Release

Today, Rep. Cindy Axne (IA-03) voted to establish a statutory right to obtain and use birth control and contraceptives, and for health care providers to provide contraceptives and information related to contraception.

In its ruling overturning Roe v. Wade, the Republican-controlled Court brought up the idea of revoking other established privacy rights guaranteed under the Fourteenth Amendment, including access to contraception. In doing so, the Court has provided a roadmap for future actions to take away the right to contraception and other fundamental rights in the future.

Ninety-nine percent of U.S. women who have been sexually active report having used some form of contraception, and ninety-six percent of Americans support having access to contraception.

The Right to Contraception Act protects against any state laws that attempt to restrict access to contraceptives and affirms the Attorney General's enforcement authority to bring civil actions against any state that attempts to do so.

"Access to birth control is essential in treating a wide array of medical conditions, decreasing the risk of certain cancers, and for planning families," said Rep. Axne. "People deserve the right to make decisions about when they want to have children, and the ability to access contraceptives is critical to that. The decision last month in Dobbs v. Jackson decision sadly threatens that right, which is why it is so critical that Congress acts to ensure Iowans and all Americans are able to access birth control if they want it."

Following the Supreme Court's decision to overrule Roe, Rep. Axne has also voted to enshrine marriage equality for same-sex and interracial couples for the purposes of federal law, and restore access to abortion nationwide.

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