Thus: 06/30/2022 9:09 PM
The US Supreme Court recently struck down the fundamental right to abortion. This troubles them in many places. The US president now wants to bypass parliamentary rules to establish a nationwide abortion law.
US President Joe Biden has called for the Senate to suspend an old rule to legislate for nationwide abortion in the United States. Biden voiced his support for such a push at a press conference at the conclusion of the NATO summit in Madrid. However, the chances of success for this route are currently low.
During his appearance, Biden criticized the US Supreme Court’s decision on abortion as reprehensible and destabilizing. He called on American citizens to vote in November’s congressional elections, even though he thinks the decision was a mistake. That’s the only way to change it.
Supreme Court overturns historic decision
There is currently no federal law in the United States that allows or prohibits abortion. Because the Supreme Court recently overturned an old fundamental ruling that allowed abortions at least until the embryo was viable – that is, until about the 24th week. This 1973 decision, known as “Roe v. Wade”, was corroborated by another 1992 decision, and the case law was adjusted at that time.
The Supreme Court’s recent departure from this jurisprudence has now given way to different laws in different states. In about half of them, abortion is likely to be severely restricted or even restricted.
Biden seeks exception to parliamentary rules
Biden has already announced that he will do everything possible to ensure that women have access to abortion. However, his options are limited. “We have to establish Roe v. Wed in law. And we can only achieve that if Congress votes on it,” Biden said in Madrid. “And if the filibuster gets in his way, it should be like voting rights that we make an exception for.”
Biden’s Democratic Party, however, has only a wafer-thin majority in the Senate. She controls 50 seats, that is, exactly half – and is therefore regularly slowed down by filibuster.
What is a filibuster?
Of firefighter There is a more than 100-year-old rule that states that for multiple bills, 60 out of 100 US senators must vote in the Congressional chamber to agree to end the debate.
By continuing to talk – sometimes just intimidation is enough – minorities can prevent or delay the adoption of a decision. According to the rules of procedure, US senators can speak for as long as they want.
The longest speech was given by Strom Thurmond of South Carolina in August 1957: 24 hours, 18 minutes.
Few prospects for Biden
Democrats had already tried to put abortion rights into a federal law, but failed with this provision, as in other cases.
In the wake of the blockade by Republicans, Democrats in the Senate already wanted to make an exception to the filibuster rule in electoral reform. However, two dissidents from their own ranks also voted against it: Senator Joe Manchin and Kirsten Cinema. Hence the chances of success are considered low.
Biden called on voters to cast their ballots in November’s election to shift the balance of power in Congress. Because Biden’s Democrats run the risk of losing their narrow majority in one or both houses of Congress in the election.
“Condemnable Behavior of the Supreme Court”
Asked in Madrid whether the court’s decision would harm the United States’ international reputation, Biden denied it and said the country was doing well overall. “The US is in a better position than ever to lead the world,” Biden said.
For example, the economy is strong and the rate of inflation is lower than elsewhere. “The only thing that is destabilizing is the reprehensible behavior of the US Supreme Court,” the US president said.
After abortion decision: US health secretary outlines plans for Biden government
Reinhard Baumgarten, SWR, 07/01/2022 06:42 am
