Bowling Green Today

U.S. Senators Rand Paul (R-KY) and Rick Scott (R-FL), along with 20 other Republican Senators, have issued a joint statement criticizing Senate Democrats for promoting the Right to Contraception Act. The senators argue that this legislation misleads the public about contraception accessibility and infringes on religious freedoms and parental rights.

The bill, initially passed by the Democrat-controlled House in 2022, is now being revisited by Senate Democrats. The Senate is expected to vote on the Right to Contraception Act later today.

"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," the statement reads. "It’s disgusting that Democrats are fearmongering on this important issue to score cheap political points. 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. It’s just another way for Democrats to use activist attorneys and our courts to advance their radical agenda and that is why we oppose this bill."

The 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).

Additionally, Senator Paul has collaborated with U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) in introducing the Allowing Greater Access to Safe and Effective Contraception Act. This proposed legislation aims to promote access to safe and effective contraception for women and families.