House Democrats push birth control vote in pressure campaign on GOP
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Reps. Nikema Williams, Katherine Clark and Kathy Manning. Photo: Jemal Countess/Getty Images for MomsRising.
House Democrats are launching a discharge petition on Tuesday aimed at forcing a vote on legislation to protect access to contraception, according to multiple sources familiar with the plans.
Why it matters: It's part of a broader push by Democrats to put abortion rights, contraception and fertility services at the political fore as the 2024 election heats up.
- Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) announced that the Senate will vote on the bill on Wednesday, though it is unlikely to garner the necessary 60 votes to pass.
- House Democrats' discharge petition would need 218 signatures to force a House floor vote, meaning several Republicans would need to sign on even if all Democrats do.
- The discharge petition was first reported by the New York Times.
Driving the news: The discharge petition will be announced at a press conference on Tuesday afternoon, led by House Minority Whip Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) and Rep. Kathy Manning (D-N.C.).
- The bill, introduced by Manning, would prohibit states from passing laws restricting access to contraception.
- It is co-sponsored by 203 House Democrats but no Republicans.
Between the lines: The discharge petition is an effort to put endangered Republicans on the spot and pressure them to help provide the signatures to bypass GOP leadership and force a floor vote.
- Clark has been pressed by Democratic colleagues and candidates to amplify contraception in their districts and call out Republicans on the issue, a source familiar with the matter told Axios.
What they're saying: Several House Republicans in districts President Biden won in 2020 did not rule out signing onto the discharge petition.
- Rep. Marc Molinaro (R-N.Y.) said it is "certainly something that I'll think about" because "there's real need to establish that women and families should have access to contraception."
- Rep. Anthony D'Esposito (R-N.Y.) noted he has "signed onto Democratic discharge petitions already" and said the bill is something "I'll read, for sure."
- "I do support access to contraception," said Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-Va.), who said she will "take a look" at the bill.
Yes, but: Republican leadership has pushed hard against their members signing onto discharge petitions and essentially doing an end-run around their authority.
- Rep. John Duarte (R-Calif.), another Biden-district Republican, said he is "not likely" to sign on, noting he hasn't "joined a [discharge petition] so far."
- Nevertheless, one discharge petition – on a GOP-led bill to provide tax relief to victims of natural disasters – has succeeded in garnering 218 signatures this Congress.
