Texas Republicans in Congress vote against bill to protect right to contraception

U.S. House Democrats passed a bill Thursday to ensure access to contraceptives. (Credit: Michael Gonzalez for The Texas Tribune)

WASHINGTON — The U.S. House passed a bill Thursday that would prevent states from banning birth control, though nearly the entire Republican delegation from Texas voted against it.

The bill, which faces far more hurdles passing through the Senate, largely responds to U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas’ recent opinion casting doubt on past rulings guaranteeing legal protections for contraceptives. It is part of a Democratic rush to codify policy on social issues that have since been put under question after the high court overturned Roe v. Wade.