Biden says he will codify abortion rights if Democrats win midterm elections

WASHINGTON

President Joe Biden said Tuesday he will codify abortion rights protections outlined in the landmark Roe v. Wade case if Democrats keep congressional majorities after elections next month.

"The first bill that I will send to the Congress will be to codify Roe v. Wade," Biden said at a Democratic National Committee event in Washington, DC.

"If you do your part and vote Democratic leaders of Congress, I promise you, we'll do our part. I'll do my part. And with your support, I'll sign a law codifying Roe in January".

"Together, we’ll restore the right to choose to every woman, in every state in America," said the US president.

The US Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June, the landmark piece of legislation that made access to an abortion a federal right.

The ruling, which sparked nationwide protests, dismantled 50 years of protection and allowed states to curtail or outright ban abortion rights.

The midterm elections will be held on Nov. 8.