Congressman Ryan Votes to Protect Access to Birth Control Under Federal Law

Press Release

Today, Congressman Tim Ryan (OH-13) voted to enshrine the right to birth control under federal law. The Right to Contraception Act ensures that neither states nor a future presidential administration can limit women's access to contraceptives or the ability of health care providers to provide contraceptives and information related to them.

"Extremist politicians have made it clear that they won't stop at abortion, and I refuse to stand by as they attempt to strip away the basic rights and fundamental freedoms of millions of women in Ohio and across the country," said Congressman Ryan. "The Right to Contraception Act will defend a woman's basic right to access contraception and protect her fundamental freedom to make decisions about her own body, life, and future."

Following the Supreme Court's decision overturning Roe v. Wade, right-wing extremists have set their sights on other rulings upholding basic rights and freedoms. In his concurring opinion, Justice Clarence Thomas explicitly called for the Court to consider overturning other landmark rulings, including the Griswold v. Connecticut decision recognizing the purchase and use of contraceptives without government restriction.

The Right to Contraception Act will take several steps to combat this assault on Ohioans' freedoms:

Establishes a statutory right to obtain contraceptives and to engage in contraception, and for health care providers to provide contraceptives, contraception, and information related to contraception.
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.

Establishes a private right of action for individuals to enforce their right to obtain contraceptives and for health care providers to enforce their right to provide contraceptives and information related to contraception.

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