Sen. Bob Casey

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Bob Casey of Pennsylvania joined a virtual event titled “Birth Control is On the Ballot,” on Tuesday hosted by Red Wine & Blue, a community organization focused on empowering women to combat political extremism.

The Zoom call aimed to shed light on the recent Senate vote regarding the Right to Contraception Act and the broader implications for reproductive rights in the United States.

The event brought together notable figures, including Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown, U.S. Representative Elissa Slotkin, and hundreds of participants from across the country. Casey, Brown and Slotkin are all Democrats.

Katie Paris, the founder of Red Wine & Blue, opened the session by emphasizing the gravity of the Senate vote. She pointed out that only two Republican senators voted in favor of the Right to Contraception Act, a stark indicator of the current political climate surrounding reproductive rights.

Paris highlighted the disparity between public opinion and legislative action, noting that 88% of Americans support access to contraception. “This isn’t just a Democratic issue,” she said, “it’s an American issue.”

Senator Casey took the virtual stage, expressing his astonishment at the Senate’s vote. “It’s still stunning and disturbing that every single Republican senator, except two, would not stand up to even debate the right to contraception,” he said. Casey underscored the importance of keeping the issue in the public eye, arguing that silence and inaction could lead to significant setbacks in reproductive rights.

Casey also discussed the broader implications of the vote, linking it to the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. He warned the same forces threatening abortion rights are now targeting contraception. “This is a graphic display of Republican extremism,” he asserted, urging participants to remain vigilant and proactive.

The conversation soon turned to the specific threats facing states like Pennsylvania. Paris asked Casey to address the misconception that blue or purple states are immune to these issues. Casey responded by detailing potential scenarios where federal changes could override state protections. He highlighted the fragility of Pennsylvania’s current political landscape, where slight shifts could lead to significant changes in reproductive rights policies.

“The concern is that if we move as a nation in the wrong direction, electing a Republican president and Senate majority, you could see blue state impacts,” Casey explained. He stressed the importance of maintaining awareness and engagement at both state and national levels.

The event also featured personal stories from women directly affected by reproductive health legislation. Amy Saunders shared her journey from a conservative, evangelical background to becoming an advocate for reproductive rights.

Dr. Jessica Klemens, an OB-GYN, recounted her experiences in the medical field, emphasizing the life-and-death situations where access to contraception and abortion services is critical.

The evening concluded with a robust call to action. Paris urged participants to use their networks to spread awareness about the Senate vote and its implications. She emphasized the importance of relational organizing–mobilizing friends, family, and community members to ensure widespread voter turnout and support for reproductive rights.

“We need to get loud about this,” Paris said. “This election is about common sense versus extremism, and we need everyone to know what’s at stake.