Biden faces calls to fulfil promise to pass Roe v Wade into law to protect abortion after Supreme Court leak
‘Congress must send the Women’s Health Protection Act to president Biden’s desk as soon as possible’
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Americans have called on Joe Biden to deliver on his promise to convert Roe v Wade into a law as stated by him in 2019 in the run up to the presidential elections amid reports of a draft decision from the Supreme Court to overturn the landmark ruling.
“Roe v. Wade is the law of the land, and we must fight any and all attempts to overturn it. As president, I will codify Roe into law and ensure this choice remains between a woman and her doctor,” Mr Biden had said in 2019 on Twitter.
According to a report by Politico, the draft order dated 10 February and authored by Justice Samuel Alito backs abolition of the ruling, stripping the guaranteed right and access to abortion.
“We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled,” the associate justice wrote.
“It is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the people’s elected representatives.”
Roe v Wade news – live: Plan to scrap US abortion law an abomination, say Democrats 
Who is Samuel Alito? Supreme Court justice who reportedly wrote draft decision to overturn Roe v Wade
AOC, Bernie Sanders and more denounce leaked Supreme Court plan to overturn Roe v Wade
What is Roe v Wade and did it get overturned?
Several people against the draft order have called on the president to step in and turn the ruling into a law.
“News of a draft SCOTUS opinion on Roe v. Wade makes it clear that we must act now to protect a woman’s right to choose. Congress must send the Women’s Health Protection Act to President Biden’s desk as soon as possible,” Republican leader and Congressman for California’s Central Coast Jimmy Panetta said.
Celebrities from across the worlds of film, TV, music and literature reacted in outrage.
Democrat Derek Marshall said the court led majorly by men is “poised” to take away reproductive healthcare for millions. “Make no mistake, abortion is healthcare,” he said on Twitter.
He added: “This decision will send us back to a Draconian era society where Americans are not allowed to make decisions best for themselves, their health, and their families. Republicans across the country will be preparing to strip rights reproductive freedoms away as we speak.”
We must come together as a society and help each other and fight to push Congress and President Biden to codify Roe, the democratic leader said.
Democrat senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, said: “It is a fundamental right for a woman to make her own health decisions. We must protect the right to choose and codify Roe v Wade into law.”
If rejected by the Supreme Court, the overruling of Roe would lead to elimination of abortion access across more than half the US and force many pregnant women to carry their pregnancies to term unless they can travel to a handful of states with abortion protections in place, experts have warned.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments