Friday’s meeting was virtual and President Biden pledged to defend abortion pill access. He also told Democratic governors that the fight for access to abortion is not over. This meeting is one week after the Supreme Court ruled abortion was not a constitutional right.
The president made brief remarks and then listened to nine governors — Governors. Kathy Hochul, Governor of New York Roy Cooper of North Carolina Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, Gov. Ned Lamont, Connecticut, Gov. Jared Polis, Governor of Colorado J.B. Pritzker, Governor of Illinois Jay Inslee, Governor of Washington Kate Brown of Oregon, Gov. Daniel McKee from Rhode Island.
The president stated Friday that he shared the outrage expressed by Americans about the court’s commitment to moving America backwards. “… “…
President Trump stated that his administration would protect women’s “bedrock rights” when they travel to other states to obtain abortion services. He also stated that the administration would protect women’s access the medical abortion pills approved by the Food and Drug Administration for decades.
The president said Friday that if states tried to prevent a woman from receiving medication that the FDA had already approved, and that has been in existence for over 20 years, his administration would protect that woman’s rights to that medication.”
He acknowledged that he does not have enough votes in the Senate to remove the filibuster and codify federal abortion rights. To get a bill on his desk, the party must have more votes in the Senate during the midterm elections.
Mr. Biden warned that Roe’s court ruling could have a wider impact than abortion. He also spoke out about the future privacy and same-sex marriages.
Hochul, who was the first governor to speak, stated that New York is ready to be a “destination” and “safe harbor for women.”
Hochul stated that only a few states will be responsible for the reproductive rights care of American women. Hochul urged the Biden administration not to use Veterans Administration hospitals or military bases in abortion services for states that have prohibited them.
Hochul was responded to by Mr. Biden, who argued that it is likely that a Republican Congress would pass an abortion ban nationwide.
Cooper stated that North Carolina already has an “influx” of women seeking abortions services. Many more are likely to follow.
He said, “Wherever you live, will determine your rights.”
Grisham called the efforts of her neighboring states to ban and restrict abortions “draconian”, with a particular focus on Texas. She said that her state is experiencing an increase in women seeking abortion-related services from outside states. She suggested that some states could use Indian Health Service facilities for abortion services.
Kathryn Watson contributed to the report.
