Schumer Suggests Legislation for the Right to Contraception

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., announced on Wednesday that a bill will be presented in June in the Senate to safeguard access to contraceptives, following remarks by presumptive GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump indicating potential new restrictions.

“Contraception plays a crucial role in safeguarding women’s reproductive freedoms, now more than ever,” Schumer stated on the Senate floor, as reported by Politico.

The legislation, led by Sens. Ed Markey, D-Mass., and Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, will require at least nine Republican votes to proceed, and it appears that no Senate GOP member is likely to support it. The bill would formally establish contraception as a “fundamental right” and a vote on it could serve as a political tool for Democrats aiming to maximize damage on Republicans in an election year.

In an interview with a local Pittsburgh TV station, Trump mentioned that he was considering new contraceptive restrictions. The timing of the interview is uncertain, as it was aired on Tuesday.

“We’re examining that, and I will be announcing a policy on that soon, which I believe will be quite intriguing,” Trump informed KDKA political analyst Jon Delano when questioned about his stance on restrictions.

“You will find it very intelligent,” Trump continued in the interview. “I believe it’s a wise decision.”

In a post on Truth Social later that Tuesday afternoon, Trump affirmed that he will never advocate for restrictions on contraceptives.

“This is a fabricated lie by the Democrats, MISINFORMATION/DISINFORMATION, as they have no other platform to run on except FAILURE, POVERTY, AND DEATH,” Trump wrote in the post. “I DO NOT SUPPORT A BAN ON BIRTH CONTROL, AND NEITHER WILL THE REPUBLICAN PARTY!”

With the issue of abortion delegated back to individual states, reproductive matters have gained prominence among voters leading up to the 2024 election. The Supreme Court is also expected to make a ruling in June on a case that could limit access to the abortion pill mifepristone.