As we watched Trump’s presidency come to an end and President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris become our president and vice president, it’s important to ask ourselves “what’s next?” in the world of abortion care. We will keep this page updated with President Biden’s actions related to abortion care and access.
Boom! Lawyered: Hey Joe, It Feels Good to Say the ‘A’ Word [podcast] 01/21/2021 | Rewire | Imani Gandy and Jessica Mason Pieklo
This law-focused podcast discusses many of President Biden’s initial actions during his first day of presidency. While the Biden administration did not take any action in regards to abortion on his first day in office, there was some upset about how a question regarding Biden’s intentions to reverse the gag rule was handled at a press conference. The podcast’s hosts, Imani Gandy and Jessica Mason Pieklo, discuss this comment as well as some of our hopes for President Biden in the realm of abortion care [you can find the discussion around the 20:00 timestamp]. We highly recommend you listen to the entire thing though- it is a great [and exciting] recap of the day.
The Global Gag Rule – aka the Mexico City Policy
The “global gag rule” is actually a Presidential executive order that dates back to Ronald Reagan. It bans U.S. funding to any organization abroad that refers for abortion or even discusses abortion as an option (even if that option is legal in the country in which the organization is working). This rule has been enacted by every Republican president since Ronald Reagan, and rescinded by every Democratic president. Since it applies to a vast array of different aid organizations across the globe, it has been shown to aid agencies and their beneficiaries in many ways. Ironically, it has also been shown to increase the abortion rate.
Biden is Rescinding the ‘Global Gag Rule’ on Abortions Abroad. But Undoing Trump’s Effects Will Take Time
01/28/20021 | Time | Abigail Abrams
Biden Administration Prepares To Overturn Trump Abortion Rule
01/21/20021 | NPR | Sarah McCammon
President Biden is Catholic AND supports abortion access, just like many other Americans
Biden’s Catholic and supports abortion rights. It puts him in the majority of American Catholics.
01/22/2021 | NBC News | Jamie Manson
Biden Is Catholic. He Also Supports Abortion Rights. Here’s What That Could Mean
01/23/2021 | NPR | Sarah McCammon
The Abortion Library 