President Biden on Sunday encouraged women to continue protesting the Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade — and said he is considering declaring a public health emergency to free up federal resources for abortion access.
“Keep protesting. Keep voicing your opinion. This is extremely important,” Biden, who was biking near his family’s beach house in Delaware, told those who demonstrated against the June 24 decision.
Biden, 79, also said he asked his staff “if I have the authority” to declare a health emergency and what the impact would be, according to reports from the White House press pool.
“We can do a lot to accommodate women’s rights,” he told reporters. “In the meantime, essentially, the only way to change this is to have a national law that reinstates Roe v Wade.”
President Joe Biden stops to talk to reporters while cycling at Gordon’s Pond State Park in Rehobeth Beach, Delaware on July 10, 2022. NICOLA KAM/AFP via Getty Images “Keep protesting,” said Biden, who was on a bike ride near his family’s home A house on the beach in Delaware. Reuters
Protests against the justices who voted to overturn the landmark 1973 case continued after the ruling and in some cases drew criticism of the tactics used to get their views heard.
Last week, Justice Brett Cavanaugh, who voted to overturn Roe v. Wade, had to flee Morton’s The Steakhouse in Washington after protesters appeared outside the restaurant.
Morton lashed out at the demonstrators and condemned the incident.
A woman holds a sign advocating for abortion rights outside the South Carolina Statehouse in Columbia, South Carolina on July 7, 2022. AP Photo/Meg Kinnard President Joe Biden has pledged to “reinstate Roe v. Wade as national law” if it passes Congress .Yasin Ozturk/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
“The Honorable Supreme Court Justice Cavanaugh and all of our other restaurant patrons were unduly harassed by unruly protesters while dining at our Morton’s restaurant,” a restaurant representative said.
Biden acknowledged that he has the power to ensure that women have access to abortions and that their personal information is protected, but restoring Roe v. Wade rights would require Congress to act.
“As president, I don’t have the authority to say we’re going to restore Roe v. Wade as the law of the land,” Biden said. “My ultimate goal is to restore Roe v Wade as national law by passing it into law through the United States Congress, and I will sign it.”
President Joe Biden did not comment on protesters trying to confront Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh at Morton’s The Steakhouse in Washington, DC.AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File President Joe Biden acknowledged that he carefully mounted his bike after fall in an accident last June .NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP via Getty Images
On Friday, Biden signed an executive order directing Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra to come up with a plan to protect access to abortion, medical care and contraceptives in all 50 states.
Speaking to reporters, Biden also indicated that he had removed a clip from the bike’s pedal, which he blamed for causing his crash last month after his foot got caught in the toe cage of his Trek.
”I want you to know something important: I took down … something,” said the president, who was wearing a blue shirt, black shorts, Ray-Ban sunglasses and surrounded by Secret Service agents.
Demonstrators march to Odessa City Hall in support of abortion rights in Odessa, Texas on July 9, 2022. Ellie Hartman/Odessa American via AP An abortion rights activist wears a blindfold with her left arm in red paint during a protest on Union Square on June 24, 2022. AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura
In the midst of answering questions from the media, Biden realized he was wearing his helmet.
“I look like a fool in this interview,” he said. “I put that helmet on because it was a tough interview.”
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