Biden supports abortion via executive orders, but hasn’t made Roe v. Wade a law

President ⁢Joe Biden’s Pledge to⁣ Protect Abortion Access

President Joe Biden ran for office with a⁤ mission to restore the soul of the nation, rebuild the middle class, and​ unite the ‍country. As we approach 2024, it’s crucial to assess whether he has⁢ fulfilled his other campaign promises. In this captivating Washington Examiner series, titled “Oath⁢ of‌ Office,” we will delve into whether Biden has upheld his end of the bargain. ‍Part Five of this series will scrutinize‌ his commitment to protect abortion access.

Falling Short ⁤of the Promise

President Joe Biden has not fully delivered on his campaign vow to codify ⁣Roe v. Wade. However, he has taken decisive action through executive authority to promote access to abortion and⁢ contraception.

In October⁣ 2020, following the passing of ⁢Supreme Court Justice Ruth⁣ Bader Ginsburg, Biden‍ made a pledge⁤ to ​enshrine the right to abortion in legislation. He recognized the ‍potential threat to constitutional protections ‌for‌ abortion​ if then-President Donald Trump appointed Amy Coney Barrett ‌to the bench.

Efforts Hindered by Congress

Despite Biden’s efforts to urge the Senate to⁢ bypass the filibuster and pass abortion-related legislation, Congress did not enact national abortion protections before the 2022 ​midterm⁣ elections, which resulted ‍in ​Republicans gaining control of the House of Representatives.

Biden utilized ​the Dobbs v. Jackson ‍Women’s ‌Health Organization decision to rally ⁣voters during ⁤the 2022⁣ midterm elections,‍ once again promising⁢ to codify Roe.⁢ However, the⁣ slim⁣ Democratic majority in the Senate has not been⁢ sufficient to overcome​ the filibuster.

Executive Authority in Action

While⁢ Biden‍ has been unable to fulfill his legislative agenda for abortion​ rights, he has made efforts to utilize broad executive authority to support abortion rights and⁢ ensure access‍ to contraception in the aftermath of⁢ the Dobbs‌ decision.

As the‍ head of the Task Force on Reproductive Healthcare Access, Vice ‌President Kamala Harris recently announced plans for a national tour⁣ in January to shed light on the detrimental impact of abortion bans following the Dobbs decision.

Supporting Access ‌to Mifepristone

The Biden administration has intensified its efforts ⁣to safeguard access to the chemical ‌abortion medication, ​mifepristone. It is also preparing to ‍present arguments against ‌anti-abortion challengers ⁤before the Supreme Court next year.

The legal battle surrounding mifepristone ​began in ​November 2022 when ‍the Alliance‌ for Hippocratic Medicine filed a lawsuit seeking to reverse the Food and Drug Administration’s original approval of the medication in 2000.

Widening Access to Contraception

In June, President Biden issued a ​third ‌executive order on reproductive health, directing agencies to enhance access ⁢and affordability of prescribed and over-the-counter contraception.

The departments of Treasury, ⁣Labor, and Health and Human Services have collaborated this year to strengthen requirements for private insurance⁢ companies to cover contraception under Obamacare rules. The administration has also taken steps to expand access to contraception through​ Medicare, Medicaid, and military service member health plans.

Shortly after Biden’s executive order, the FDA approved ‌the first over-the-counter hormonal‍ birth control⁣ pill, which is expected to be available in supermarkets, pharmacies, and online by 2024.

How has President Biden responded to the proliferation of‌ state-level abortion restrictions and what measures has he‍ taken to protect access ​to abortion?

Ent to overcome the ​filibuster and pass abortion-related legislation.

Executive Action on ​Access

Although Biden’s ⁣efforts in Congress⁤ have faced obstacles,‌ he has not been⁣ idle in ⁣his⁣ commitment to ‍protect abortion access. Through executive action, he ‍has taken significant steps​ to⁤ promote reproductive rights‌ and ensure access to ​safe and legal abortion.

One of Biden’s first acts as president was to revoke​ the Mexico City Policy, also known as the global⁤ gag rule,⁣ which prohibited‍ U.S. ‌funding to foreign non-governmental organizations ‍that provide abortion services⁤ or information. This‌ reversal ‍restored critical funding to international organizations‌ and allowed them to continue their work in providing comprehensive reproductive‌ healthcare services.

Furthermore, ‌President Biden⁤ has ‌reinstated funding⁣ for ‍Title ‍X, the federal grant program that provides family planning‌ services, including access ​to contraception⁤ and reproductive healthcare. This ‍action has expanded access to affordable birth control and ⁢other essential reproductive services for millions of people across the United States.

Protecting Access amidst State⁢ Restriction

One of the ​greatest⁤ challenges ​to abortion ‌access in recent years has ⁢been⁣ the proliferation ‍of state-level restrictions. President ​Biden has been firm in⁤ his opposition to these restrictive measures and has promised to use every tool at​ his ⁢disposal to defend ⁣and⁤ protect reproductive rights.

When the Supreme Court ​agreed to hear the case of Dobbs​ v.‍ Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which could potentially undermine or even overturn Roe v. Wade, ⁢President Biden expressed his strong support ​for upholding the constitutional right to abortion. He called on Congress​ to⁤ act and ⁤protect access to abortion by passing legislation⁣ that ​would codify Roe v. Wade ‌into ⁣law.

Additionally, the ⁤Biden administration has‌ indicated its willingness to use federal agencies, such ⁣as the Department of Justice,⁤ to challenge and block state-level abortion restrictions that are unconstitutional or impose⁣ an undue burden on individuals seeking reproductive healthcare services.

A Promise⁣ Still​ in Progress

While⁢ President Biden has faced obstacles⁢ in fully delivering on his ⁣pledge to protect abortion access, it is evident that he remains committed‌ to the cause.‍ Through executive action ‍and ⁢vocal support for legislation,⁢ he has‌ made it clear that safeguarding reproductive rights is a priority for his administration.

However, the‍ ultimate ​goal of codifying Roe v. Wade​ into law still remains unfulfilled. ⁣The⁤ path to achieving comprehensive nationwide ‌protection ‍for‌ abortion access requires ⁢broader support and cooperation. It will require collaboration with ‌Congress,‌ advocacy groups, and the American​ people to ensure that the right to safe‍ and legal abortion remains⁤ protected ⁣and ⁣accessible for all.

President ‌Biden’s efforts to⁣ protect ⁢abortion access ‍must be analyzed within ‍the broader​ context of ‌an ongoing battle over⁢ reproductive rights in the United States. While progress has been made, there is still a long way to go in securing lasting protections for women’s​ reproductive freedom.

Conclusion

President Biden’s commitment to protecting abortion access ⁤is evident through⁤ his ‌executive actions and vocal‍ support‍ for ‌reproductive rights. Despite facing ⁤hurdles in Congress⁣ and an increasingly hostile landscape at the state‍ level,⁤ his administration remains ​steadfast⁢ in its⁢ determination to defend and expand access ⁤to safe and legal⁣ abortion.

As the nation moves forward, ⁢it is⁢ essential for advocates,⁤ lawmakers, and citizens to continue working together to ensure that reproductive rights are upheld ⁣and‍ that every person has the freedom to make their ⁢own decisions about their reproductive healthcare. President Biden’s⁣ pledge to protect abortion access is an ongoing‌ challenge, ​but it​ is one‌ that ⁢remains crucial for the health, autonomy, and​ dignity of individuals across⁣ the country.