President Biden on Sunday encouraged women to continue protesting the Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade, and said he planned to declare a public health emergency to free up federal resources for access to abortion.
“Keep protesting. Keep making your point. It’s very important,” said Biden, who rode his bicycle near his family’s Delaware beach house. June.
Biden, 79, also said he asked his staff “if I have the authority” to announce the health emergency and what the impact would be, according to accounts from the White House press group.
“We can do a lot of things to accommodate women’s rights,” she told reporters. “Meanwhile, fundamentally, the only way to change that is to have a national law that restores Roe v. Wade.”
President Joe Biden stops talking to reporters while cycling in Gordon’s Pond State Park in Rehobeth Beach, Delaware, on July 10, 2022. NICHOLAS KAMM / AFP via Getty Images “Keep Protesting,” Biden said , who rode a bicycle near his family home. Delaware Beach House. REUTERS
Protests against judges who voted to overturn the historic 1973 case have continued since the ruling, and in some cases have sparked criticism of the tactics used to make their views heard.
Last week, Judge Brett Kavanaugh, who voted to overthrow Roe v. Wade, had to escape from Morton’s The Steakhouse in Washington, DC after protesters showed up outside the restaurant.
Morton’s attacked the protesters and condemned the incident.
A woman holds a sign defending abortion rights outside the South Carolina State House in Columbia, South Carolina, on July 7, 2022. AP Photo / Meg Kinnard President Joe Biden vowed to “restore Roe v Wade as a national law “if it goes through Congress .Yasin Ozturk / Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
“The Honorable Supreme Court Judge Kavanaugh and all our customers at the restaurant were unduly harassed by undisciplined protesters while having dinner at our Morton’s restaurant,” a restaurant representative said.
Biden acknowledged that he had the power to ensure that women had access to abortion and that their private information was protected, but the restoration of rights in Roe v. Wade will require Congress to act.
“As president, I have no authority to say that we will restore Roe v. Wade as the law of the land,” Biden said. “My ultimate goal is to re-establish Roe v. Wade as a national law by passing a law by the United States Congress and I will sign it.”
President Joe Biden did not comment on protesters trying to confront Supreme Court Judge Brett Kavanaugh at Morton’s The Steakhouse in Washington, DC.AP Photo / Rogelio V. Solis, File President Joe Biden acknowledged that he rode with care for his bike after falling in an incident last June. .NICHOLAS KAMM / AFP via Getty Images
On Friday, Biden signed an executive order ordering Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra to draw up a plan to safeguard access to abortion, medical care and contraceptives in the 50 states.
Speaking to reporters, Biden also noted that he removed a clip from the bike pedal that he blamed for crashing it last month after his foot got stuck in the cage of his Trek.
“I want you to know one important thing: I took off my … thing,” said the president, who wore a blue shirt, black shorts, Ray-Ban sunglasses and was surrounded by Secret Service agents.
Protesters march in Odessa City Hall in support of abortion rights in Odessa, Texas, on July 9, 2022. Eli Hartman / Odessa American via AP An abortion rights activist holds a bandage in her hand left with red paint during a protest in Union Square on June 24, 2022.AP Photo / Yuki Iwamura
Amid answering questions from the media, Biden realized he was wearing the helmet.
“I feel like a fool here in this interview,” he said. “I put on this helmet because it was a tough interview.”