Left-leaning voters have questioned U.S. President Joe Biden over high inflation rates. President Joe Biden is looking to “win back” his base by promising to sign a law to codify abortion rights in January, if Democrats control the legislature next year.
Democrats could lose control in the upcoming November elections, which will leave Republicans in complete control of both chambers and free to unravel the decades-old protections afforded by Roe v Wade. The Supreme Court’s decision overturned a landmark ruling that had guaranteed a woman’s right to an abortion for nearly 50 years.
If Democrats elect more senators and keep control of the House, Biden said he would sign a law in January to ensure women’s right to abortion across the country.
“Here is the promise I make to you and the American people: the first bill that I will send to the Congress will be to codify Roe v Wade,” Biden said during remarks at the historic Howard Theatre in Washington.
Democrats currently have a slim majority in the House and control the 50-50 Senate through Vice President Kamala Harris‘ ability to cast tie-breaking votes.
But passing a bill on abortion could be difficult even if Democrats hold onto their Senate majority, as that chamber’s rules require 60 of the 100 senators to agree on most legislation.
Republicans largely oppose abortion rights, while Democrats largely support them.
The Supreme Court overturned the 1973 Roe v Wade decision that recognized women’s constitutional right to abortion in June, drawing condemnation from Biden and spurring optimism among Democrats that outrage over the decision would drive voters to the polls in November.
But high inflation has remained at the top of voters’ minds, according to Reuters/Ipsos polling. Nationwide, just 8% of Americans cited the end of national abortion rights as the issue that will most influence how they vote in November, compared with 27% who cited inflation in a poll conducted Sept. 27 to Oct. 3.
