Two weeks after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, President Joe Biden signed an executive order aimed at protecting access to abortion nationwide, despite efforts by some states to ban or severely restrict it.
Speaking from the Roosevelt Room of the White House on Friday, alongside Vice President Kamala Harris and Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, Biden denounced the court’s decision as “egregious” and “totally wrong.”
“This is not some made-up horror,” Biden said. “This is already happening. Just last week, it was reported that a 10-year-old girl had been raped — at age 10 — and she was forced to travel out of state to Indiana to seek a termination of pregnancy and possibly save her life.”
“Imagine you are that little girl,” he continued. “I’m serious, just imagine being that little girl.”
The executive action comes as Biden faces pressure from his fellow Democrats to take stronger action, especially after the June 24 ruling by the Supreme Court expires in early May.
His executive order largely finalized what the administration had already announced — including instructions to the Justice Department to ensure women can travel out of state for abortion care.
The order addresses the increased risks to patients, providers and clinics, which includes efforts to protect mobile clinics that are located across state lines to offer 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 “promote robust legal representation for patients, providers and third parties lawfully seeking or offering reproductive health services In the whole country. “
Biden also said he would grant furloughs to federal workers traveling for medical care, which could set an example for private companies to do the same.
Amazon, Starbucks and other corporations have already announced expanded health benefits to pay for their employees’ travel if they want an abortion and the procedure isn’t available near where they live.
President Joe Biden delivers remarks at an executive order signing event in the East Room of the White House on May 25, 2022, in Washington.
Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images, FILE
Biden also ordered the Department of Health and Human Services to take “further action to protect and expand” access to medical abortion, emergency contraception and IUDs.
The agency is directed to increase outreach and public education efforts regarding access to reproductive health services — including abortion — to obtain reliable information for the public.
Patient privacy is another part of Biden’s order, which takes additional measures 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 called on Biden to use federal facilities and land for abortions.
“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 make sure that these services can be available to other women,” New York Governor Kathy Hochul suggested. .
The White House didn’t seem too enthusiastic about 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 advocates, including Democratic Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s recommendation this week that the administration clarify that Americans can legally transport the abortion pill across the U.S.-Canada border.
Biden says it’s ultimately up to Congress to codify Roe into law, calling it “the fastest way to restore” rights. But any Democratic effort to do so would likely fail in the Senate, where they would need 10 Republican votes.
Biden has proposed a rod separation to enshrine abortion rights in federal law, but two Democratic senators — Joe Manchin and Kirsten Sinema — oppose changing the long-standing Senate rule.
The president called on women to turn out in record numbers this November to elect more pro-choice Democrats.
“You, the women of America, you determine the outcome of this issue,” Biden said.
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