In his ‘State of the Union’ speech, Biden was frank about abortion rights in the United States
As more states implement limited anti-choice legislation, the Supreme Court’s landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision appears to be buckling under the weight of restrictive anti-choice legislation — especially, one court case that could significantly erode abortion rights across the country. On Tuesday, President Joe Biden spoke up this important topic, and his comment about abortion from the 2022 State of the Union address on March 1 was very clear.
Given the current condition of reproductive rights in the United States, Biden’s speech was almost certain to include a discussion of abortion. The Supreme Court heard arguments in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization on Dec. 1, 2021, in a case that is predicted to overturn, or at the very least severely limit, the right to abortion in the United States. The restrictive anti-choice law at the heart of Dobbs v. Jackson is a Mississippi bill passed in March 2018: If upheld by the nation’s most powerful court, which currently has a 6-3 conservative majority, this piece of legislation would prohibit abortions after 15 weeks, with no exceptions for rape or incest.
“Promoting liberty and justice necessitates safeguarding women’s rights.” “The fundamental right upheld in Roe v. Wade — which has stood the test of time for half a century — is under attack like never before,” Biden said in his March 1 speech, referring to the landmark 1973 abortion rights ruling that made abortion legal nationally. “We must maintain access to health care if we want to move forward rather than backward.” Keep a woman’s right to choose alive. Let us also continue to improve maternal health care in the United States.”
The current Roe v. Wade standard guarantees people the right to abortion until fetal viability, which normally occurs between 22 and 24 weeks of pregnancy. This stringent Mississippi law would move that date far earlier, severely reducing the window of time in which certain states can get legal abortion care. If the bill is upheld by the Supreme Court, it will open the door for other states that are anti-abortion to implement laws that effectively ban abortion.
It’s hardly an outlandish fear. The Supreme Court permitted a Texas legislation prohibiting abortions after six weeks to take effect on Sept. 1, 2021. SB8 prohibits abortion before many women are even aware that they are pregnant. Furthermore, it empowers citizens to enforce the legislation through civil lawsuits against those accused of “aiding and abetting” an abortion in violation of the law – a clause that has been dubbed a “bounty” on abortion doctors and those who assist pregnant women seeking abortions.
While Biden’s remarks were simple, many pro-choice activists had mixed feelings. “It’s apparent that the Biden-Harris administration realizes that reproductive freedom is under threat, and this time deserves bold action,” NARAL Pro-Choice America President Mini Timmaraju said in a statement shared with Elite Daily. We appreciate President Biden mentioning this critical juncture in our movement during his speech.”
Others urged Biden’s administration to go even further. “While President Biden mentioned the need to protect Roe v. Wade in his State of the Union remarks, he did not say how he plans to do so and once again refused to use the word abortion — furthering stigma and failing to meet the historic and terrifying moment we are in,” Renee Bracey Sherman, executive director of We Testify, said in a statement shared with Elite Daily.
According to CNBC, the Supreme Court is scheduled to rule in Dobbs v. Jackson by June 2022.
