Contraception vote set in Senate, while House votes on first appropriations bill

Senators gavel in Wednesday with the Hill’s focus on a mid-afternoon vote to advance legislation aimed at enshrining contraception protections into federal law.

“It is unacceptable — simply unacceptable — for Americans to even question whether or not access to birth control should fall at risk,” Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said on the floor Tuesday. Almost all members of the Senate Democratic caucus are co-sponsors of the legislation.

Prior to that vote, the chamber will vote on two local D.C. judicial nominees at about noon.

House lawmakers will have an even earlier day. Votes are expected around 10 a.m., when the chamber will vote on the first appropriations bill of the year — the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Act.

The White House said in a statement of administration policy that it “strongly opposes” the bill and would veto it if it reaches the president’s desk.

Lawmakers are expected to break for the week after votes Wednesday to allow members to travel to France in commemoration of the 80th anniversary of D-Day.