At a climate change meeting, Vice President Joe Biden admits there is no proof global warming causes fires. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) Andrew Harnik

Biden backs ending filibuster to codify abortion rights

Cami Mondeaux June 30, 09:55 AMJune 30, 10:21 AM Video Embed

The Senate should change its rules to end the filibuster and pass a law codifying abortion rights after the Supreme Court reversed Roe v. Wade earlier this month, President Joe Biden said Thursday.

Specifically, Congress should pass a law that would codify the right to privacy as a whole, Biden said, which would extend to abortion, contraceptive access, and same-sex marriage.

“The way to do that is to make sure that Congress votes to do that. … And if the filibuster gets in the way … we should provide an exception,” Biden said during a meeting with NATO allies in Madrid on Thursday. “The one thing that has been destabilizing is the outrageous behavior of the Supreme Court of the United States and overruling not only Roe v. Wade but essentially challenging the right to privacy.”

To overcome a filibuster in the Senate, lawmakers must surpass a 60-vote threshold to advance legislation. However, Biden said he would back changing those rules to pass a bill codifying abortion rights through a simple majority — conceding it may require Democrats gaining a majority in the Senate in the midterm elections to accomplish. 

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

Liberal lawmakers have long called to end the filibuster because it would allow them to pass more progressive policy goals despite their slim majorities in Congress. Those calls were renewed in response to the ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization on June 24 that struck down the landmark Roe decision, which legalized abortion nationwide.

This story is developing and will be updated.

© 2022 Washington Examiner

NewsRead More