ACLU Comment on President Biden’s Speech on Abortion Rights

WASHINGTON — President Biden committed to sending a bill to protect abortion access as his first piece of legislation if Democrats retain control of Congress next term during a speech delivered moments ago. In response to the speech, Julie Sweet, director of the Liberty Division at the American Civil Liberties Union, issued the following statement:

“We applaud President Biden for promising to prioritize a bill that will protect abortion rights as his first piece of legislation next year if the reproductive rights majority increases in Congress. But let us be clear, while codifying the right to abortion is important, that is the floor when it comes to protecting abortion access, not the ceiling. Any legislation that is sent to Congress must include everyone and not carve out vulnerable populations.

“The public health crisis faced by the millions of women and people who need abortion care in this country is dire, and we need bold solutions to meet the moment. Abortion is on the ballot this November, from those who would represent us in Congress and statehouses to critical ballot initiatives across the country, and we must vote our values up and down the ballot to create the future we want to see for ourselves, our families, and our nation.”