In his State of the Union address on Thursday, President Biden voiced support for legalizing abortion and called on Americans to send a Democratic-led Congress that would restore the rights guaranteed under the law. Roe vs. Wade Nationally.
Biden also touched on the border crisis, health care and the wars in Ukraine and Gaza during his roughly 65-minute speech, which drew partisan reactions. Biden did not mention his likely Republican opponent, Donald Trump, by name, but he used the phrase “my predecessor” more than a dozen times.
Abortion was a major theme, a four-minute topic that is usually only mentioned in most State of the Union addresses by presidents of both parties. Biden and his allies believe it could be a winning issue this fall, given the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe, which returned the culture war over abortion to the states.
With judges sitting in the first two rows, Biden labeled the pro-life strategy an “assault on freedom.”
He began by discussing in vitro fertilization (IVF) and the Alabama Supreme Court’s decision declaring that embryos produced through IVF can be treated as children under state law. This has led to several clinics in the state to close IVF services. (Alabama’s Republican governor signed a bill this week that protects IVF in the state).
Mr. Biden argued that the Alabama court’s decision would not have been made unless the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe’s decision.
“Joining us tonight is LaTriya Beasley, a social worker from Birmingham, Alabama. Fourteen months ago, thanks to the miracle of IVF, she and her husband gave birth to a baby girl. However, following the Supreme Court’s ruling overturning Roe v. Wade, the Alabama Supreme Court halted IVF treatments across the state. She had to wait until her dreams came true. What her family went through should never have happened, and unless Congress acts, it could happen again.”
“So tonight, let’s stand up for families like hers. To our friends across the aisle, don’t make us wait any longer. Guarantee the right to IVF.”
Mr. Biden then turned the conversation to the issue of abortion.
“Like most Americans, I believe Roe v. Wade was the right decision, and I thank Vice President Harris for being a great leader in championing reproductive freedom and more.” “But my predecessor came into office determined to see Roe v. Wade overturned. It was his fault it was overturned — and he bragged about it. Look at the chaos that resulted.”
Biden pointed to the balcony where Texas resident Kate Cox was sitting. Her case sparked national debate when she said she had to leave the state to get an abortion. Her fetus was diagnosed with trisomy 18.
“Many of you in this chamber and my predecessor have committed to passing a national reproductive freedom ban,” Biden said. “…Clearly the people who brag about overturning Roe v. Wade have no idea about the power of women.”
He predicted that the Democratic Party would “win again in 2024.”
“If the American people send me a Congress that supports the right to choose, I promise you that we will make Roe v. Wade the law of the land again,” he said. “America can’t go back. I’m here tonight to show you the way forward, because I know how far we’ve come.”
In a Republican response, Sen. Katie Britt (Alabama) said Republicans “strongly support continued nationwide access to IVF.”
“We want to help loving moms and dads bring their precious lives into this world,” she said.
Mr. Biden could have invited a girl like 15-year-old Bella Santorum, who has exactly the same symptoms as Kate Cox’s baby, to show them the beauty and possibility in all life.
But that’s not the case. He decided to invite Cox, who murdered a young girl over 20 weeks old and pretended to be the victim.
— Lila Rose (@LilaGraceRose) March 8, 2024
Lila Rose, founder of the pro-life group Live Action, said Biden has gotten the facts wrong about abortion and Cox.
“Kate Cox demanded a late-term abortion of her disabled baby girl and left Texas to ensure her daughter’s death,” Rose said. “…Biden could have invited a girl like 15-year-old Bella Santorum, who has the exact same symptoms as Kate Cox’s baby, to show them the beauty and possibilities in all life. But that’s not the case. He chose to murder a girl over 20 weeks old and invite Cox, who posed as the victim.”
Image credit: ©Getty Images / Chip Somodevilla / staff
Michael Faust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His story was published in Baptist Press. Christianity Today, Christian Poecent, of leaf chronicle, of toronto star and of knoxville news sentinel.
