Cruz pitches Ocasio-Cortez on bill to make birth control available over the counter

“Perhaps, in addition to the legislation we are already working on together to ban Members of Congress from becoming lobbyists, we can team up here as well,” Cruz said on Twitter, quoting a tweet from Ocasio-Cortez last week in which she argued for making birth control obtainable over the counter.

I agree. Perhaps, in addition to the legislation we are already working on together to ban Members of Congress from becoming lobbyists, we can team up here as well. A simple, clean bill making birth control available over the counter. Interested? https://t.co/7kh3kqxN1w

— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) June 12, 2019

Cruz added that he was open to creating a “simple, clean bill making birth control available over the counter,” before asking if Ocasio-Cortez would be interested. 

{mosads}Cruz and Ocasio-Cortez became an unlikely pairing on an issue involving lobbyist reform earlier this month. The two said that their offices were holding staff-level meetings on efforts to pass a lifetime ban on former lawmakers lobbying.

The collaboration came after Cruz voiced on Twitter that he agreed with Ocasio-Cortez’s argument that it should be illegal for former members of Congress to become corporate lobbyists.

“I have long called for a LIFETIME BAN on former Members of Congress becoming lobbyists,” Cruz tweeted in late May. “The Swamp would hate it, but perhaps a chance for some bipartisan cooperation?”

Here’s something I don’t say often: on this point, I AGREE with @AOC Indeed, I have long called for a LIFETIME BAN on former Members of Congress becoming lobbyists. The Swamp would hate it, but perhaps a chance for some bipartisan cooperation? https://t.co/jPW0xkH2Yy

— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) May 30, 2019

“If you’re serious about a clean bill, then I’m down. Let’s make a deal,” Ocasio-Cortez responded. 

.@tedcruz if you’re serious about a clean bill, then I’m down.

Let’s make a deal.

If we can agree on a bill with no partisan snuck-in clauses, no poison pills, etc – just a straight, clean ban on members of Congress becoming paid lobbyists – then I’ll co-lead the bill with you. https://t.co/AZTbmdSexv

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) May 30, 2019

A woman’s access to birth control is currently regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, The Independent Journal Review noted. Current regulations stipulate that a woman must receive a prescription from a physician to gain access to hormonal contraceptive pills. 

Ocasio-Cortez’s argument regarding birth control comes as many state legislatures pass measures to enforce further restrictions around abortions. The freshman lawmaker has denounced the bills, saying abortion bans are about “controlling women’s sexuality” and “owning women.”

“From limiting birth control to banning comprehensive sex ed, US religious fundamentalists are working hard to outlaw sex that falls outside their theology,” she tweeted in May. 

Rep. Ayanna Presley (D-Mass.) voiced enthusiasm for Cruz’s support, saying that he should reach out to Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) about a bill that’s already been written on the issue. 

Hi there @tedcruz hit up our girl @pattymurray she and I have already written the bill, album dropping tomorrow    @AOC‘s vocals (& original co sponsorship) = on point. @KatieHill4CA’s an original too. Just call it the Destiny’s Child of OTC birth control https://t.co/Ri2q1Viez4

— Ayanna Pressley (@AyannaPressley) June 12, 2019

“We’ve always believed affordable, accessible birth control isn’t just a women’s issue so look forward to you co-sponsoring,” she added, before highlighting the support the bill has received from male lawmakers such as Rep. Ami Bera (D-Calif.).

–Updated Wednesday, 4:31 p.m.