North Bay Congressman Seeks To Protect Access To Contraceptives

NORTH BAY, CA — U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (D-St. Helena) has introduced legislation that would codify the right to access contraceptives as recognized by the 1965 U.S. Supreme Court case Griswold vs. Connecticut.

The Protecting Access to Contraception Act of 2022, introduced Thursday by Thompson and U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, a Democratic congresswoman from Washington state, would forbid state or local governments from prohibiting or otherwise restricting the possession, sale, purchase, transportation or use of any contraceptive that relates to interstate commerce.

The legislation provides a broad definition of contraceptives; it was written to cover birth control medication, IUDs, condoms, and emergency contraception, as well as other relevant FDA-approved products, devices, or medications.

"Last month, the Supreme Court released a decision that gutted Roe v. Wade, the landmark decision that provided the right to an abortion," Thompson said in a news release introducing the legislation. "In Justice [Clarence] Thomas’ concurring opinion, he opened the door to going after other fundamental rights that Americans have enjoyed for decades, including the right to contraception. I believe that everyone, regardless of the state in which they live, should have access to safe, effective, affordable and accessible methods of family planning and contraception. That's why today, with my colleague Rep. Jayapal, I introduced legislation preventing states or localities from prohibiting or restricting the sale, purchase, possession, transportation, or use of contraception to ensure that further rights are not eroded by this extreme Supreme Court."

Griswold v. Connecticut is a 1965 U.S. Supreme Court decision recognizing the constitutional right of married adults to access contraception without government restriction.

The Protecting Access to Contraception Act of 2022 would also authorize private citizens and the U.S. Department of Justice to take legal action against parties that violate the bill's right to contraception.

"When it comes to our reproductive freedom, it is clear that this right-wing, extremist Supreme Court will not stop at stripping us of our right to safe and legal abortion," Jayapal said in the news release. "It is incumbent on us to ensure that our right to reproductive health care remains protected. Access to contraception is crucial to limiting unintended pregnancies. We are already seeing efforts by state and local governments to take away access to contraception methods. With this bill, we will guarantee that anyone who wants access to contraceptive care can be able to get it without state or local officials weighing in on their bodies and their reproductive choices."