Ban on Abortion a ‘tragic error’ – Joe Biden…says fight not over

President Joe Biden torched the Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe V. Wade during an impassioned speech on Friday, June 24.

Biden’s address came just hours after the Supreme Court released a majority opinion overturning the landmark case, which legalized abortion nationwide. “It’s a sad day for the country in my view,” he said. “It doesn’t mean the fight is over.”

Biden explained how conservatives and Supreme Court justices appointed by former President Donald Trump were those who voted to overturn the case.

 “Make no mistake: this decision is a culmination of a deliberate effort over decades,[to] upset [the] balance of our law. It’s a realization of an extreme ideology and a tragic error by the Supreme Court in my view.

The court has done what it has never done before: expressly take away a constitutional right that is so fundamental to so many Americans that had already been recognized. The court’s decision to do so will have real and immediate consequences,” he said.

Biden called on Congress to codify the protections of Roe V. Wade as federal law. The president rallied voters to elect leaders who will defend abortion rights.

 “This fall, we must elect more senators and representatives who will codify woman’s right to choose into federal law once again. Elect more state leaders to protect this right at the local level,” he said. “We need to restore the protections of Roe as law of the land.”

Biden spoke about how the opinion would affect poor women, women who are victims of rape and incest, as well as doctors who perform the procedure. He also pointed out how the decision automatically put some abortion laws into affect, such as those in Missouri and South Dakota.

He also detailed plans for his administration to respond to the decision, including making sure contraception and other medications are kept available.

He concluded his speech by promising to keep up the fight. “This decision must not be the final word. My administration will use all of its appropriate lawful powers,” he said. “With your vote, you can act. You can have the final word. This is not over.”

The Supreme Court opinion came about a month after a draft decision was leaked showing the court’s intention to overturn Roe. The laws on abortion rights now fall on the individual states to legislate, making it illegal for women to get a safe and legal procedure in many states.