While at a news conference in Spain this week, President Joe Biden called for a radical change to the rules of the U.S. Senate in order to protect abortion access.
Biden—who was previously reluctant to change the filibuster rules in the Senate—is now taking a more aggressive approach to try and codify abortion laws in Congress.
Currently, it takes 60 senators to end debate and call for a vote in the Senate. Changing the filibuster rules would lower that number to 50.
“The first and foremost thing we should do is make clear how outrageous this decision … the most important thing, to be clear about it, I believe we have to codify Roe v. Wade in the law. And the way to do that is to make sure Congress votes to do that,” said Biden.
Biden continued to double down on his remarks Thursday morning.
“We have to codify Roe v. Wade into law,” President Biden posted on Twitter yesterday. “And as I said this morning: If the filibuster gets in the way, then we need to make an exception to get it done.”
We have to codify Roe v. Wade into law.
And as I said this morning: If the filibuster gets in the way, then we need to make an exception to get it done.
— President Biden (@POTUS) June 30, 2022
Though his proposal received support from pro-abortion Democrat lawmakers, others are in strong opposition.
U.S. Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) took to Twitter to caution those who support this action.
Those critical of the potential use of federal power to protect life… who then cheerlead the President – FROM SPAIN – trashing the Court & demanding Congress “codify Roe” should be mindful of tipping the scales toward that use of power – if they haven’t been tipped already…….
— Chip Roy (@chiproytx) June 30, 2022
Even with the Senate split evenly between the two parties, it is likely that at least two Democrat senators disagree with the push, as Sens. Joe Manchin (WV) and Kyrsten Sinema (AZ) opposed changes to filibuster rules this past year.
President Biden also shared his disdain for the Supreme Court during the news conference, saying, “I really think that it’s a serious, serious problem that the Court has thrust upon the United States, not just in terms of the right to choose, but in terms of the right to who you can marry, the right to a whole range of issues related to privacy.”
Biden plans to announce more of his plan to protect abortion rights following a meeting with like-minded governors.
No ads. No paywalls. No government grants. No corporate masters.
Just real news for real Texans.
Support Texas Scorecard to keep it that way!
