Politics & Government
Scanlon Votes To Protect Marriage Equality And Contraception
U.S. Rep Mary Gay Scanlon, a Delaware County Democrat, said the bills are necessary in the wake of Roe v. Wade being overturned.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon voted this week to pass two bills to protect Americans’ fundamental rights to marriage equality and contraception.
Scanlon, a Delaware County Democrat, said the bills are necessary following the June 24 Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, returning the abortion laws to state government.
Scanlon led the floor debate on the rule for the two bills ahead of the House’s vote.
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“In the wake of the Dobbs decision, we are seeing Republican legislatures across the country rush to implement or try to pass abortion bans, including in Pennsylvania,” Scanlon said.
“But the impact of the Dobbs decision does not end there. The politicized conservative majority in the Supreme Court has set our country on a perilous path by providing a roadmap to reconsider and overturn other fundamental freedoms.”
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The Respect for Marriage Act will enshrine marriage equality in federal law and prohibit state officials from discriminating against same-sex and interracial couples. The House voted 267-157 in favor of the bill. Seven Republicans did not vote.
“We owe it to our families to take proactive measures like these two bills to protect their right to marry who they love and make their own family planning decisions,” Scanlon said.
The Right to Contraception Act establishes a statutory right to obtain, use, and provide contraception under federal law. The House voted 228-195 to pass the legislation.
This legislation will also prohibit states from impeding access to contraception, including measures that limit providers’ ability to share information about contraception.
Rep. Scanlon’s votes this week build on her votes the previous week to pass the Women’s Health Protection Act to reinstate the protections of Roe v. Wade and the Ensuring Access to Abortion Act to make sure Americans can travel safely to states where abortion care is accessible.
The Right to Contraception Act is available here. The Respect for Marriage Act is available here.
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