'We all know the truth': Gretchen Whitmer calls out GOP and Kristi Noem's hypocrisy on contraception bill
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer didn't hold back in her criticism of Republican leaders, particularly South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, over their stance on contraception.
Whitmer's comments came after Noem claimed her GOP colleagues supported access to birth control while Senate Republicans recently blocked contraception legislation.
Gretchen Whitmer calls out GOP hypocrisy on contraception access
In an interview with CNN, Gretchen Whitmer highlighted the discrepancy between Republican rhetoric and action. She pointed out that despite claims of support for contraception, GOP senators voted against a bill that aimed to protect access to contraceptives.
Whitmer stated, “When the US Senate puts forward policy to ensure that they have an opportunity to enshrine access to contraception and Republicans vote against it and kill that bill, it is very much at risk here in this moment."
The Right to Contraception Act, introduced by Senator Ed Markey, sought to ensure individuals' rights to use contraceptives and safeguard healthcare providers' rights to distribute them. However, the bill failed to garner enough support in the Senate, falling short by a vote of 51-39.
Whitmer didn't mince words in her assessment of the situation, calling responses from Republicans like Noem "disingenuous at best and an outright lie at worst."
She emphasized the significance of the issue, particularly in light of recent developments such as the appointment of conservative Supreme Court justices by former president Donald Trump, which has put reproductive rights, including access to contraception, at risk.
"We all know the truth here," Whitmer told CNN, underscoring the importance of acknowledging the reality behind political rhetoric.
Gretchen Whitmer warns of broader reproductive healthcare threats
The Michigan governor, who also serves as a surrogate for President Joe Biden's reelection campaign, underscored the broader implications of restricting access to contraception. She noted that alongside abortion rights, access to other reproductive healthcare services such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) and contraception were also under threat.
Whitmer stated, “We know that there are women in many states who cannot access fundamental health care...and now contraception."
Noem, while affirming support for contraception access, criticized the Senate Democrats' bill as "far-reaching" and labeled it a "joke." Her sentiments were echoed by several Republican senators who deemed the legislation unnecessary, arguing that contraception is already legally available in every state and mandated to be provided at no cost by health insurers.
"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, and it's disgusting that Democrats are fearmongering on this important issue to score cheap political points," a group of 21 GOP senators, led by Senator Rick Scott (R-Florida), wrote in a joint statement Wednesday.
GOP presents countermeasures on contraception legislation
Republican lawmakers have countered accusations from Democrats by introducing their own bills related to contraception. Senator Joni Ernst introduced legislation that she claims differs from the Democratic proposal by excluding access to Plan B, an emergency contraception pill.
Senate GOP Whip John Thune emphasized that Republicans have an alternative bill that unequivocally supports contraception. Thune stated, “We will have an alternative that will make very clear that Republicans are for contraception."
The debate over contraception access reflects broader ideological divisions within Congress and the nation regarding reproductive rights. While Democrats advocate for expanded access and protections, Republicans argue for limited government intervention and alternative approaches to addressing reproductive healthcare needs.
