S. 4701 is a bill introduced in the U.S. Senate on June 8, 2026, aimed at protecting individuals' rights to travel across state lines to access reproductive health care services, including abortion. The bill seeks to prevent any person or entity from restricting, discriminating against, or penalizing individuals who seek, provide, or assist with such out-of-state reproductive health care, as long as it is legal in the state where it is provided. Additionally, the bill authorizes the Department of Justice to initiate civil actions against violators and establishes a private right of action for affected individuals. It also waives governmental immunity and preempts conflicting state laws.
S. 4701 was introduced in the 119th Congress by Catherine Cortez Masto (Democrat) and is currently listed as “Introduced”. It is classified under the Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues policy area, one of 41 bills in that area we track this Congress.
Catherine Cortez Masto is the sponsor of 28 bills in our database this Congress, so S. 4701 is part of a broader legislative agenda rather than a one-off proposal.
Our conflict-of-interest analysis rates S. 4701 2/10 (low risk), higher than 76% of analyzed bills; the average in Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues is 3.2/10.
Supporters of S. 4701 argue that the bill is essential for safeguarding reproductive rights, especially in the wake of increasing state-level restrictions on abortion access. They contend that it reinforces constitutional protections for interstate travel and ensures that individuals can seek necessary health care without fear of legal repercussions. Proponents also highlight that the bill provides clear legal avenues for enforcement, empowering both the Department of Justice and private citizens to challenge violations.
Opponents of S. 4701 express concerns that the bill could undermine states' rights to regulate health care within their borders. They argue that it may lead to increased legal conflicts between state and federal authorities and could be seen as an overreach of federal power. Critics also worry that the bill might facilitate circumvention of state laws designed to restrict abortion access, potentially leading to broader debates about federalism and the balance of power between state and federal governments.
The analysis of bill S. 4701, which aims to protect freedom of travel and reproductive rights, reveals no direct industry overlaps with the top donor industries of sponsor Catherine Cortez Masto. This suggests that her financial backers do not have a vested interest in the specific subject matter of the bill, reducing the likelihood of conflicts of interest. The absence of significant contributions from industries that could benefit from or oppose the bill indicates a lower risk of undue influence. Voters should be aware that while campaign contributions can sometimes create perceived conflicts, in this case, the lack of overlap suggests a clear separation between the sponsor's financial supporters and the legislative agenda at hand.
Top industries funding Catherine Cortez Masto, ranked by total contributions.
Source: OpenSecrets.org (Center for Responsive Politics)
What does S. 4701 do?
S. 4701 is a bill introduced in the U.S. Senate on June 8, 2026, aimed at protecting individuals' rights to travel across state lines to access reproductive health care services, including abortion. The bill seeks to prevent any person or entity from restricting, discriminating against, or penalizing individuals who seek, provide, or assist with such out-of-state reproductive health care, as long…
Has S. 4701 received a floor vote?
No roll-call vote on S. 4701 is recorded in our database yet. Its current status is “Introduced”.
Does S. 4701 have a conflict of interest?
Our conflict-of-interest analysis rates S. 4701 2/10 (low risk), higher than 76% of analyzed bills; the average in Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues is 3.2/10. This score reflects overlap between the sponsor’s campaign funding, lobbying activity, and the industries the bill affects. It is a transparency indicator, not an accusation.
What is the status of S. 4701?
S. 4701 is currently “Introduced” as of our last update on June 11, 2026.
Who sponsored S. 4701?
S. 4701 was sponsored by Catherine Cortez Masto (Democrat).
