US President Joe Biden has signed a decree guaranteeing women’s access to abortion and their rights to gynecological health care following the Supreme Court’s abortion ruling. The decree will expand access to contraceptives and order free access to contraceptive medication and counseling.

Biden's decree on women's access to abortion

Biden held a press conference at the White House with Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra. In his speech before the signing ceremony, Biden criticized the Supreme Court’s decision to strip abortion of its constitutional right, saying, “The Supreme Court’s decision was not a constitutional judicial decision. It was an act of political power.”

Biden called on Congress to pass a bill on this issue in order to recognize abortion as a right again, saying, “The fastest way to regain the right to abortion is a law that I will sign as soon as it comes to my desk.”

Asked whether the tariffs on China will be lifted, Biden replied, “I have not made my decision on this issue yet.”

Biden also added that he will visit the Japanese Embassy in Washington today and sign the book of condolences opened for former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo, who died as a result of the attack.

WHAT IS IN THE DECREE?

With the decree signed by Biden after his speech, the Department of Health and Human Services will take steps to protect women’s access to abortion drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

In addition, relevant health agencies will regulate access to emergency services for pregnant women and abortion survivors.

Biden will order the Department of Health and Human Services to expand access to contraceptives and provide free access to birth control medications and counseling.

ABORTION DECISION BY THE SUPREME COURT

On June 24, the US Supreme Court overturned the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, which constitutionally guaranteed the right to abortion nationwide.

With the decision, abortion ceased to be a constitutional right and laws on this issue were left to the discretion of the states.

THE DECISION WAS LEAKED TO THE PRESS IN MAY

The US political media outlet “Politico” published the decision in May and the Supreme Court confirmed the accuracy of the news.

The American media had emphasized that a decision by the Supreme Court in this direction would have an earthquake effect in the country and further increase the political division.