What has Biden said about the US Supreme Court’s abortion bans?

President Biden has addressed the nation after the Supreme Court ruled to overturn Roe v. Wade in the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization.

Abortion has been legal in the United States since the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that has been upheld by justices from across the political spectrum over the years. Now, almost a century later, three justices, appointed by President Trump, who lost the popular vote, have overturned a popular constitutional right. The consequences of this decision should not be understated. As President Biden said during his address, this decision turns back the clock in the United States more than 150 years.

President Biden spoke to the risks that many across the country face, including concerning reports from the American Medical Association that predict rapid increases in maternal mortality in states where access to abortion has been eliminated.

Oklahoma’s trigger law is the most restrictive in the nation, outlawing abortion even in cases where the life of the mother is at risk. Jim Inhofe, one of Oklahoma’s Senators tweeted his support of the Supreme Court’s decision saying that he was “overjoyed.”

President Biden urges Congress to codify the abortion at the federal level

“This fall Roe is on the ballot,” said Presidnet Biden during his speech.

He urged voters to cast ballots for leaders at the state and federal level that will secure a the right to choose. However, he neglected to mention that his party has failed to ever bring the codification of the rights enrished in Roe to the floor for a vote in Congress. When President Obama had a super majority in the Senate, the topic of protecting rights to abortion were pushed aside.

For Democrats to have the votes necessary to pass a federal law protecting abortion they would need to pick up at least nine seats in the Senate. Based on the state’s where elections will take place this November, this prosect is unlikely.

What can President Biden do?

There are no actions the President can take to stop state’s from banning abortion. Howevever, President Biden did say that he would do whatever is in his power to ensure that women who seek abortions in other state are not prosecuted for such actions in their home state.

“To often the case that poor women will be hit the hardest, it is cruel,” said Biden highlighting the disproportionate effect this decision will have on the most economically vulnerable people in the country.

While, the president did say those who seek abortions in other states would have their rights protected, this does nothing to increase access. Those who are unable to afford to travel to another state will have their fates sealed because leaders failed to codify the protections provided by Roe into law.