Speaking from the White House’s Roosevelt Room alongside Vice President Kamala Harris and Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, Biden blasted the court’s ruling two weeks ago as “extreme” and “totally wrong.” The president also urged women, in particular, to exercise their “political power” by getting them to vote in record numbers this November, saying it’s the “fastest way” to overturn the court’s ruling by giving congressional Democrats the majorities they are needed to code the abortion. rights under federal law. “It’s not some imaginary horror,” Biden said. “It’s already happening. Just last week, it was reported that a 10-year-old girl was a rape victim — 10 years old — and had to travel out of state to Indiana to seek a termination of her pregnancy and possibly save her life.” “Imagine being that little girl,” she continued. “I’m serious, imagine being that little girl.” The executive action comes as Biden faces pressure from fellow Democrats to take stronger action, especially since the June 24 high court ruling was leaked in early May. His order wraps up much of what the administration has already announced — including instructions to the Justice Department to ensure women can travel out of state for abortion care. The order addresses increased risks to patients, providers and clinics, including efforts to protect mobile clinics deployed across state lines to provide care to out-of-state patients. Biden’s action, the White House said, directs Attorney General Merrick Garland and White House counsel to convene volunteer attorneys and organizations to “encourage strong legal representation for patients, providers and third parties who legally seek or offer reproductive health services to the whole country. “ Biden also said he would provide time off for federal workers traveling for medical treatment, which could set an example for private companies to do the same. President Joe Biden signs an executive order to help ensure women’s access to abortion and contraception at the White House, July 8, 2022, in Washington. Standing with him are Vice President Kamala Harris, left, Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. Kevin Lamarque/Reuters Biden is also ordering the Department of Health and Human Services to take “additional steps to protect and expand” access to medication abortion, emergency contraception and IUDs. The agency has been directed to increase public outreach and education efforts about access to reproductive health care services — including abortion — to get reliable information to the public. Patient privacy is another part of Biden’s mandate, which takes additional steps to address the transfer and sale of sensitive health-related data, combat digital surveillance related to reproductive health services, and protect people from fraudulent and deceptive practices. Last week, Democratic governors urged Biden to use federal facilities and land for abortion services. “What am I talking about? Veterans hospitals, military bases and other places where the federal government controls jurisdiction in some of the states that are hostile to women’s rights and makes sure those services can be available to other women,” News York Governor Kathy Hotchul proposed. The White House didn’t seem too keen on the idea, saying it could have “dangerous ramifications”. The proposal will not be included in Biden’s executive order. Also not included in Biden’s action are several proposals from supporters, including a recommendation by Michigan Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer this week to make it clear that Americans can legally carry the abortion pill across the US-Canada border. Biden says it is ultimately up to Congress to codify Roe into law and that he would sign any bill sent to his desk immediately. But any Democratic effort to do so would likely fail in the Senate, where 10 Republican votes would be needed. Biden has proposed a plan to enshrine abortion rights in federal law, but two Democratic senators — Joe Manchin and Kirsten Sinema — oppose changing the long-standing Senate rule. President Joe Biden speaks about abortion access before signing an executive order in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, July 8, 2022, in Washington. Evan Vucci/AP The president called on women to turn out in record numbers this November to elect more Democrats who support abortion rights. Reading directly from the court’s majority opinion, Biden emphasized that “women do not have voting or political power.” “You, the women of America, you determine the outcome of this issue,” Biden said. Biden was vocal in his condemnation of the court and the Republican Party, warning that a host of other countless privacy rights — such as same-sex marriage and contraception — could be at risk. “We cannot allow an out-of-control Supreme Court working in concert with extremist elements in the Republican Party to take away our freedoms and personal autonomy,” Biden said.
