On 57th Anniversary of Griswold vs. Connecticut, Manning Introduces Resolution Affirming Access to Contraception

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Kathy Manning (NC-06) introduced a resolution supporting contraceptive rights and access on the 57th anniversary of the landmark Griswold v. Connecticut decision, in which the Supreme Court first held that the Constitution protects the right to use contraception. 

“Reproductive freedom is under threat from the Supreme Court and Republican state legislatures across the country; we must be vigilant in protecting the American people’s right to make decisions about their own bodies and families,” said Congresswoman Manning.  “Access to birth control is essential to women’s health, autonomy, and economic security. Undermining contraceptive rights would diminish women’s equality under the law and jeopardize the health of millions.”   

Since the Griswold decision, the Supreme Court has repeatedly recognized Americans’ constitutional right to make personal decisions about their reproductive health and family planning. However, the Supreme Court’s draft opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization imperils six decades of judicial precedent affirming these fundamental freedoms, including contraceptive rights. Rep. Manning’s resolution pushes back on these attacks and affirms the importance of contraceptive rights and access.

“Reproductive freedom, including using birth control, allows people to make decisions about their bodies, lives, futures, and their health care. As we are on the brink of losing the constitutional right to abortion, we do not take for granted the impact the Griswold decision and access to birth control has had on so many lives over the past 57 years. It is crucial we expand and affirm access to all forms of reproductive health care for all. This moment demands clarity in what we believe and support, which is what Representative Manning’s resolution helps provide,” said Mara Gandal-Powers, Director of Birth Control Access, National Women’s Law Center

“As we celebrate the 57-year legacy of Griswold v. Connecticut it has never been clearer that the fight over contraceptive access—particularly for those who experience systemic barriers to care—is one of the key issues of our time. NFPRHA applauds Rep. Manning for her leadership with introducing this resolution,” said Clare Coleman, President & CEO, National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association.

Jerrold Nadler (NY-10), Diana DeGette (CO-01), Haley Stevens (MI-11), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Lois Frankel (FL-21), Barbara Lee (CA-13), Dina Titus (NV-01), Elissa Slotkin (MI-08), Raúl Grijalva (AZ-03), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Jackie Speier (CA-14), Kathy Castor (FL-14), Gerald Connolly (VA-11), Melanie Stansbury (NM-01), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-00), Adam Smith (WA-09), Andy Levin (MI-09), Dwight Evans (PA-03), Grace Napolitano (CA-32), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23), Anthony Brown (MD-04), Judy Chu (CA-27), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Susie Lee (NV-03), Tony Cárdenas (CA-29), Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44), James McGovern (MA-02), Tom Malinowski (NJ-07), Earl Blumenauer (OR-03), Alma Adams (NC-12),  Danny Davis (IL-07), Nikema Williams (GA-05), and Sara Jacobs (CA-53) are original cosponsors.

Endorsing organizations include the National Women’s Law Center, National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, National Partnership for Women & Families, NARAL Pro-Choice America, In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda, National Council of Jewish Women, National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice, Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, National Health Law Program, Physicians for Reproductive Health, Advocates for Youth, Catholics for Choice, Positive Women's Network-USA, American Atheists, AIDS Alliance for Women, Infants, Children, Youth & Families, Center for Biological Diversity, Power to Decide, SIECUS: Sex Ed for Social Change, American Society for Reproductive Medicine, Jacobs Institute of Women's Health, National Center for Lesbian Rights, National Organization for Women, National Women's Health Network, National Women's Law Center, People For the American Way, National Association of Nurse, Practitioners in Women's Health (NPWH), Reproductive Health Access Project, National Birth Equity Collaborative, PAI, Contraceptive Access Initiative, Ibis Reproductive Health, Ipas, and Center for Reproductive Rights. 

You can view the text of the resolution here.

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