California Governor Gavin Newsom has lambasted Republicans yet again, calling them hypocrites in the process. This time, it’s about a senate bill that would have provided protections for nationwide access to contraceptives.
Find out why the bill meant so much to Democrats and why Newsom is so enraged.
Disappointment at the Senate
Wednesday, June 5, 2024, was a day Democrats looked forward to. On that day, the Senate voted on the Right to Contraception Act. Democrats hoped that the conservative side of the chambers would cooperate.
Unfortunately, at the close of business, their expectations had turned to dismay. Only two Republicans voted in support of the bill – amounting to 51 votes, nine short of the required 60 votes.
Newsom Blasts Republicans
Newsom produced one of the fiercest reactions to the failed bill. He did so during a video statement on X (formerly Twitter).
Although only 40 seconds long, it was sufficient time for the governor to call out the conservatives. His statement started with, “Well, in case you missed this. Republicans are at it again. Republicans in the U.S. Senate just blocked a bill that would have protected access to birth control across the country.”
“So-Called ‘Party of Freedom'”
One of the highlights of his speech was his reference to conservatives’ much-touted love for freedom.
“After overturning Roe, the so-called ‘Party of Freedom’ has repeatedly blocked efforts to help women access IVF, birth control, and abortion,” he remarked. In essence, Newsom questioned the commitment of Republicans to the idea of reducing government control and implied that they were hypocrites.
He Derided them for Setting the Nation Backwards
In his message, he accused the Republicans of being a clog in the wheel of progress. He believes that The Right to Contraception Act was a step forward for women. Meanwhile, he boasted about the advancement in reproductive health that California has enjoyed.
“While the GOP tries to take us back to a pre-1960s world, California is proud to provide comprehensive protections for contraceptives as well as reproductive health care,” he said.
ALSO READ: Woman Sues Texas Over Abortion Ban, Set To Move Her Embryos out of State
Newsom Offered Some Words of Encouragement
In addition, the governor encouraged citizens who were disappointed by the bill’s failure. He assured them of his continued support in the face of Republican roadblocks.
“We will never stop fighting for you and your right to control your body and your future,” he stated. Gov. Newsom has truly been at the forefront of the fight for preserving liberal policies over the years.
What’s the Right to Contraception Act About?
The Right to Contraception Bill aims to grant access to contraceptives and broad pregnancy prevention care. Senators Edward Markey (D-MA), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and Mazie Hirono (D-HI) sponsored the bill on the Senate floor.
The bill would also grant rights to healthcare providers to dispense and administer contraceptives. Finally, the bill would have hindered the government from obstructing access to contraceptives.
Why Is the Bill Important to Democrats
Since the Supreme Court decided to overturn Roe v. Wade, sparking panic across the nation, the responsibility of offering a remedy has lain on Democrat politicians.
Liberal politicians saw the Right to Contraception Act as a perfect response to the fears of constituents disappointed by the Supreme Court’s decision. Therefore, the bill’s passage would have been a big win for proponents of reproductive rights for women.
More Democrats Express Their Displeasure
Newsom isn’t the only high-profile Democrat to express anger over the bill’s failure. Former Presidential hopeful Sen. Elizabeth Warren has also spoken out, describing the bill’s possible negative implications.
“We saw what the Supreme Court did on abortion, and now there’s a real risk they may do the same thing on contraception,” she revealed during an interview at MSNBC.
ALSO READ: California Experiences Growing Budget Deficit Once Again
Why Did Republicans Kick Against the Bill?
Of course, Republicans have reasons for obstructing the bill’s passage. Joni Ernst is one of the conservative Senators who voted against the bill. Speaking to the press, she argued that the bill went “far beyond the scope of providing access to contraception.”
Ernst stated that the bill was an attempt by Democrats to “mandate access to abortion drugs for women and girls of all ages.”
Republicans See the Bill as a Political Stunt
Another top republican senator, John Cornyn from Texas, has shared another perspective on the bill. He sees the bill as a political chess move to rile up pro-abortion and women reproductive rights voters for the coming elections.
“It’s a phony vote because contraception, to my knowledge, is not illegal. And to suggest that somehow it’s in jeopardy, I think, should be embarrassing,” he argued.
President Biden Reacts
Expectedly, President Joe Biden has bared his mind on the matter. He wasted no time expressing frustration over the Republican Senators’ opposition to the bill’s passage.
He accused Republicans of repeated insensitivity to the rights of women. According to him, it was the “second time” since the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade reversal that conservatives are obstructing women’s reproductive freedom.
X Users React to Newsom’s Statement
Reactions have trailed the California governor’s statement. While some X users backed his message, others weren’t impressed. One X user who commented cited several flaws in the bill.
“You are being dishonest about this. They didn’t have age limits considering parental rights, they didn’t have exemptions for religious institutions and faith-based providers, and contraceptives are already readily available in every state in the U.S.,” the comment read.
You Might Also Like:
Selena Gomez Reacts to Benny Blanco Saying He Wants Marriage and Kids
Vegetables Don’t Exist—But Here’s Why You Should Still Eat Them
