“We are grateful that the majority of senators voted to restore contraceptive coverage this afternoon, but it is shocking that in 2014, extremist senators who will stop at nothing to block contraceptive coverage were able to prevail. This is an outrageous and stunning loss not just for women, but for the country.

In June, when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that some bosses can deny women coverage for birth control, it was a dangerous and outrageous intrusion that undermined women’s health, sanctioned discrimination, and took the country backward in profoundly harmful ways. For the Senate to fail to pass the Protect Women’s Health from Corporate Interference Act, which would restore contraceptive coverage, was a painful reminder of how far we have to go before women’s health is no longer politicized, and women have the respect and equality we deserve.

Anyone who thought the demeaning comments about women by candidates for public office in the last election cycle were an aberration has to think again; the very same attitudes that drove those comments are shaping outcomes in Congress today.

We thank Senators Patty Murray (D – Wash.) and Mark Udall (D – Colo.) for championing this bill, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D – Nev.) for bringing it to the floor so quickly, and every senator who voted to advance it. We urge the Senate leadership not to give up, but instead to continue fighting for passage. And we urge Speaker Boehner to bring the bill to the House floor very soon.

Americans are counting on Congress to restore the contraceptive coverage requirement the Affordable Care Act guaranteed and women deserve, and to protect other health services from bosses who want to impose their beliefs on employees. We will not tolerate going backward on women’s health, and allowing bosses to take away our coverage for birth control.”