President Biden unveiled new measures on Tuesday to protect access to abortion, 100 days after the Supreme Court terminated the constitutional right to stop pregnancy, and called on Americans to pressure Congress to pass legislation that can ensure that abortion is legal throughout the country.
These actions that occurred as a reproductive right have become a central issue in political campaigns across the country ahead of midterm elections next month.
Democrats have used the court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade to motivate voters to elect lawmakers who will expand abortion rights nationwide and prevent Republicans from imposing more restrictions.
“Right now we need useful votes,” said Biden, who brought together his reproductive health team at the White House.
“The only way for this to happen is if the Americans make it happen.”
Biden lashed out at Republican lawmakers who have been pushing for a national abortion ban and urged voters to remember what is at stake if Democrats lose their grip on power in Washington.
“This means that even if you live in a state where you are not governed by extremist Republicans, your right to choose will be at risk,” Biden said.
Most abortions are currently banned in at least 14 states, and others are embroiled in legal battles over abortion access.
Officials in the Biden administration estimate that nearly 30 million women of reproductive age currently live in a state that prohibits it and that some 22 million women do not have access to abortion after six weeks of gestation.
The White House said Tuesday that the Department of Education will issue a reminder to colleges that they cannot discriminate against female students based on pregnancy, including whether the pregnancy was terminated.
Additionally, the Department of Health and Human Services announced $6 million in grants to expand access to family planning clinics that receive federal funding under Title X.
The White House has also asked Congress for an additional $400 million for the clinics.