White House warns of Republicans efforts to “strip women of their rights”

After the Supreme Court’s historic decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, the Biden administration says it will fight Republican efforts in the House of Representatives to pass a nationwide ban on abortions at 15 weeks. They call this a move to take away women’s rights.

Legislation is being proposed by some House Republicans who oppose abortion rights after the Supreme Court overturned a landmark rule and upheld the Mississippi law banning abortion after 15 weeks. Since Republicans are poised to gain control of the House of Representatives in this year’s midterm elections, efforts to pass a filibuster ban are an especially welcome development. Friday, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy indicated support for a 15-week ban across the country, and former Vice President Mike Pence praised the court for its decision.

Gender Policy Council director Jen Klein slammed the moves Monday, claiming that they were a Republican campaign to erode women’s rights.

“Vice President Mike Pence and GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy have already stated their support for a federal ban on abortion. Regardless of how pro-choice a state is, no woman would be able to choose. There would be no abortions everywhere in the world if this were the case. When it comes to choice, the ultra-MAGA agenda is not about ‘states’ rights.’ In every single state, this has always been about taking away women’s rights” CNN was given an exclusive statement by Klein.

As Joe Biden and other high-ranking officials have urged Americans to cast their ballots in November, Klein framed the option in stark terms, delivering a preview of White House messaging.

“So let’s be clear, this goes one of two ways: We either have a House and Senate that puts Roe into federal law or a House and Senate that push ultra-MAGA policies that strip women of their rights in all 50 states. Congress will either protect women everywhere or strip away their rights everywhere,” she added.

According to Klein, an interagency working group was formed, and outreach to key stakeholder groups was developed in response to the Supreme Court ruling. During Biden’s trip to essential meetings this week, Klein will be among top administration officials’ efforts to speak publicly in the wake of the verdict.

According to a White House official, “This week, administration officials, including Jen Klein, will be talking directly to the American people on broadcast, at events, and on social media, and high-level staffers, again including Jen, will be meeting with women’s groups, LBGTQIA and disability groups, advocates, legislators including House and Senate leadership and state legislators, influencers, faith leaders, and other stakeholders.”

Biden has begun drawing sharper contrasts in his midterm messaging, going after what he terms the “ultra-MAGA agenda” of the right in comparison to his ideas, which is why his rhetoric has been intensified. The White House is under increasing pressure from Democrats to do more; therefore, the President has highlighted federal initiatives his administration is taking.

In remarks delivered Friday from the White House foyer, President Biden said, “This decision must not be the final word,” adding, “My administration will use all of its appropriate lawful powers. Congress must act. And your vote? You can have the final word. This is not over.”

Prior to today’s statements, he’d had hundreds of meetings with abortion rights advocates and specialists over the past two months about expanding access to medication abortion and guaranteeing that women may traverse state lines to receive abortions.