House Democrats push for a vote on birth control

House Democrats are making a move to bring abortion rights and access to birth control to the forefront of election issues by attempting to force a vote on legislation that would ensure birth control access nationwide.

The Democrats are planning to use a procedural motion called a discharge petition to push for a vote on the issue. This move, set to be announced on Tuesday, is expected to fail in the Republican-led House.

“Extremist Republican politicians are attacking women’s reproductive health,” stated lead sponsor Rep. Kathy Manning, D-N.C., as reported by The New York Times.

The news of the House Democrats’ plan comes shortly after Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., announced a vote on a bill to establish federal protections for legal contraceptives, as reported by NBC News.

This vote, scheduled for this week, aims to make Republicans take a stance on the issue as the November election approaches. Democrats are seeking a similar outcome in the House.

The discharge petition is a tactic to move a bill out of committee. With Republicans holding a 218-13 advantage, only a few defectors are needed to meet the threshold of a simple majority to sign the petition. Democrats must wait seven workdays before collecting signatures for the petition.

“The choice to use birth control should be yours and yours alone,” said Rep. Katherine Clark, D-Mass., according to The Times.

“House Republicans have a decision to make: either sign this discharge petition or reveal their anti-freedom extremism to the American people.”

Democrats accuse Republicans of incorporating pro-life policies into pending legislation. President Joe Biden is expected to veto a proposal for fiscal year 2025 funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs and military construction projects due to its impact on access to reproductive healthcare, as reported by the White House Office of Management and Budget.