The battle over birth control continues at the state and federal level. Meanwhile women’s advocacy groups say reproductive rights are at stake.
Republican Senators John Lamping (St. Louis County) and Scott Rupp (Wentzville) have filed legislation that would undo the federal healthcare mandate that employers provide insurance that pays for birth control. Lamping’s bill will be heard today. Lobbyist Michelle Trupiano says Planned Parenthood will be there to oppose the legislation.
And at the federal level, republican Senator Roy Blunt is working to tack an amendment to a federal transportation bill that would effectively block the mandate. He tells his colleagues protecting religious freedom is at the the very heart of the first amendment, quoting George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.
Opponents of the measure say it’s an attempt to block women from healthcare.
Nebraska Senator Ben Nelson cosponsored the amendment with Blunt, who attempted to tack the amendment to a transportation bill, but it was blocked by Democrat Senator Harry Reid.