Arizona

State Republicans Vote Against The Right to Contraception Act—Defeat Bill to Protect Birth Control in Arizona

Despite overwhelming public support for contraception, which most American families use, states across the country are also threatening our right to contraception (e.g., birth control pills, IUDs).  

In Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas’ concurring opinion of Dobbs, Thomas voiced support for overturning the constitutional right to contraception – a right established in Griswold v. Connecticut in 1965. Specifically, Thomas wrote that because the legal basis for Roe v. Wade is also the basis for other rights, including the right to contraception, the decision recognizing that right (Griswold) should therefore be “reconsider[ed].” 

A few weeks later, 195 House Republicans voted against the “Right to Contraception Act,” including Arizona Reps. Andy Biggs, Paul Gosar, David Schweikert, and Debbie Lesko.

Unfortunately, the actions of these extreme actors are leaving Arizonans vulnerable to state or court-led attacks on contraception. 

That’s why Governor Hobbs and members of the state legislature introduced their own statewide “Right to Contraception Act,” which would have protected and preserved Arizonans’ right to contraception, including condoms, the pill, and IUDs.

Representative Athena Salman, who led the effort in the state legislature, said, "We believe that contraception is essential to a person's privacy, health, well-being, dignity, liberty, equality, and ability to participate in social and economic life."

But every Republican in the state legislature voted it DOWN.

"Bayer Company invented aspirin. Put it between your knees," said Arizona Senate Majority Leader Sonny Borrelli, suggesting that women should stop having sex rather than using contraception.

Here is a list of every Arizona Representative who voted against the Right to Contraception Act in Arizona:

Arizona State House Michael Carbone Neal Carter David L Cook Lupe Diaz Timothy M Dunn John Gillette Travis Grantham Matt Gress Gail Griffin Justin Heap Laurin Hendrix Rachel Jones Alexander Kolodin David Livingston David Marshall, Sr. Teresa Martinez Leo Biasiucci Cory McGarr Steve Montenegro Quang H Nguyen Barbara Parker Jacqueline Parker Kevin Payne Michele Peña Beverly Pingerelli Austin Smith Ben Toma Julie Willoughby Justin Wilmeth

Arizona State Senate Ken Bennett Shawnna Bolick Selina Bliss Sonny Borrelli Frank Carroll David Christian Farnsworth David Gowan John Kavanagh Anthony Kern Sine Kerr Javan Mesnard Warren Petersen Wendy Rogers Janae Shamp Thomas “T.J.” Shope Justine Wadsack