House Panel takes up bill protecting access to contraceptives

(Washington, DC) -- The House is expected to vote his week on a bill to protect access to contraceptives.

Monday, the House Rules Committee will take up the bill, which is a direct response to Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas saying the court should reconsider its landmark Griswold v. Connecticut decision. The 1965 ruling held that the Constitution protects the liberty of married couples to buy and use contraceptives without government restriction.

In a concurring opinion to last month's decision overturning Roe v. Wade, Thomas argued that the Constitution does not protect such so-called substantive rights.