kelley o'donnell reports. >> reporter: the politics of contraception provoked outrage on capitol hill>> where are the women? when i look at this panel, i don't see one single woman. >> reporter: this picture set off that anger when only men had a seat at the witness table during a hearing related to contraception. >> we've been denied the right to have a witness -- >> reporter: politically the left defines this battle as a women's rights and a health care equality issue. >> i may at some point be moved to explain biology to my colleagues. >> reporter: on the right conservatives focus on religious freedom. >> constitutional liberties are being stepped upon. >> no man or woman should ever be forced to betray that faith. >> reporter: the republican invited only safe leaders not advocates for women's health. >> imagine having a panel on women's health and they don't have any women on the pam. >> reporter: the social issue divide can cut across gender and generational lines. >> if the issue continues, it's likely to help the republican party because it could be a way of wooing catholics in