Bowling Green Today

U.S. Senators Rand Paul (R-KY) and Rick Scott (R-FL), along with 20 other Republican senators, issued a joint statement criticizing Senate Democrats for advancing the Right to Contraception Act. The legislation, initially passed by the Democrat-controlled House in 2022 under Nancy Pelosi, is now being revived by Senate Democrats.

The senators argue that there is no threat to access to contraception, which they note is legally required to be offered at no cost by health insurers in every state. They contend that the bill misleads the public and threatens religious freedoms and parental rights.

"There is no threat to access to contraception, which is legal in every state and required by law to be offered at no cost by health insurers, and it’s disgusting that Democrats are fearmongering on this important issue to score cheap political points," the senators stated. "This bill infringes on the parental rights and religious liberties of some Americans and lets the federal government force religious institutions and schools, even public elementary schools, to offer contraception like condoms to little kids."

The joint statement was signed by Senators Ron Johnson (R-WI), Eric Schmitt (R-MO), Mitt Romney (R-UT), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Mike Lee (R-UT), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Ted Budd (R-NC), James Lankford (R-OK), Jim Risch (R-ID), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Katie Britt (R-AL), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), John Thune (R-SD), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Steve Daines (R-MT).

In addition to this opposition, Dr. Paul has collaborated with U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) in introducing the Allowing Greater Access to Safe and Effective Contraception Act aimed at promoting access to safe contraception for women and families.