Biden warned that Republicans will try to ban abortion nationally if they regain control Congress, pointing to recent legislation introduced by Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., that would prohibit an abortion procedure after 15 weeks of pregnancy.
"If Republicans get their way with a national ban, It won't matter where you live in America," Biden said. "So let me be very clear: If such a bill were to pass in the next several years, I'll veto it."
Republicans and anti-abortion groups slammed Biden's speech. Ronna McDaniel, chairwoman of the Republican National Committee, said Biden is "deeply out of touch with the concerns of families," characterizing his position on abortion as "extreme." She added that "Democrats can't distract" from Biden's record of historic inflation.
Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, said "the stakes of the midterm elections could not be higher" and urged Republicans to go on the offensive on abortion.
“Doubling down on an extreme agenda of abortion on demand until birth won’t stop Democrats from losing Congress," she said, arguing "Biden’s party is on the wrong side and stunningly out of touch."
Since the Supreme Court's June Dobbs decision that overturned Roe, 16 states have enacted near-total abortion bans, while several other Republican-led states have taken steps toward bans. A report from the Guttmacher Institute found that at least 66 clinics had stopped offering abortion services following the landmark decision.
In August, Biden signed an executive order that seeks to ease access for individuals seeking reproductive health-care services, including expanding Medicaid to cover travel costs to other states that allow abortions.
Biden said the final say on abortion does not rest with the Supreme Court or "extremist Republicans" in Congress:
"Your right to choose rests with you. And if you do your part and vote, Democratic leaders in Congress I promise will do their part. And I'll do my part."
Reach Joey Garrison on Twitter @joeygarrison.
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