Biden signs executive order safeguarding abortion access

President condemns 'totally wrong-headed' Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v Wade

The Supreme Court has overturned Roe v Wade, the major ruling that for nearly 50 years has guaranteed a constitutional right to abortion. EPA

Abortion rights advocates march outside the Supreme Court in Washington. EPA

Emily Milford holds her protest sign during a rally in front of the Duval County Courthouse in Jacksonville, Florida. The Florida Times-Union / AP

People participate in a protest in Foley Square, in New York City, New York, New York. Reuters

Demonstrators march through downtown following a rally in support of abortion rights in Seattle, Washington. Getty Images / AFP

Demonstrators during an abortion rights protest outside a courthouse in Los Angeles, California. Bloomberg

Demonstrators during an abortion rights protest in Los Angeles, California. Bloomberg

Protesters gather at the steps of the Michigan State Capitol in Lansing during a rally organised by Planned Parenthood. The Grand Rapids Press via AP

Protesters demonstrate outside the US Supreme Court in Washington. Bloomberg

Demonstrators gather during a rally in support of abortion rights in Seattle, Washington. Getty Images / AFP

Abortion rights campaigners demonstrate outside of the US Federal Courthouse in Tucson, Arizona. Reuters

Women protest outside a courthouse in Tucson. Reuters

Demonstrators make signs at a rally in Tucson. Reuters

A woman holds up a flag during a protest in Foley Square in New York. Reuters

The Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v Wade ends women's right to abortions. Reuters

People demonstrate during an abortion rights rally in Tucson. Reuters

Protesters blocks streets during an abortion rights rally in Tucson. Reuters

Demonstrators march in the streets after protesting outside of the US Courthouse in Los Angeles, California, after a draft of the court's decision was released several weeks ago. AP

Demonstrators hold placards and shout slogans during an abortion rights protest in Los Angeles. Bloomberg

Demonstrators protest outside of the US Courthouse in Los Angeles. AP

Two police officers are surrounded by a group of abortion rights demonstrators near Pershing Square in Los Angeles. AP

Condemning the US Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v Wade as "totally wrong-headed", President Joe Biden on Friday signed an executive order that would help safeguard access to abortion.

Following the Supreme Court's decision to end the constitutional right to abortions, Mr Biden pledged he would do everything in his executive authority to protect reproductive rights.

"While I wish it had not come to this, this is the fastest route available," he said from the White House.

As part of Friday's order, Mr Biden directed the Secretary of Health and Human Services to protect and expand access to “medication abortion” and contraception.

The department also will to increase public education efforts on abortion access, and consider additional access to protect patient privacy.

Additionally, the White House counsel and Mr Biden's attorney general will meet pro bono lawyers and other organisations to encourage legal representation for patients and providers.

Mr Biden's action stops short of more aggressive action suggested by some Democrats who have argued that the Supreme Court's ruling was drastic enough for the president to flex his executive authority. But Mr Biden has repeatedly said codifying abortion rights into federal law is an action that only Congress can undertake.

"We need two additional pro-choice senators and a pro-choice House [of Representatives] to codify roe as federal law," Mr Biden said, urging pro-choice supporters to vote in the midterm elections later this year.

The Supreme Court's decision last month restored states' power to pass their own laws on banning abortion. Mr Biden condemned the ruling.

"Now the most extreme Republican governors and state legislatures have taken the court's decision as a green light to impose some of the harshest and most restrictive laws seen in this country in a long time," he said.

Restrictive abortion laws have already gone into effect in Republican-led states across the US, some of which do not grant exceptions in the case of incest or rape.

"These are the laws not only put women's life at risk These are laws that will cost lives," Mr Biden said.

The president also warned of "extreme" Republicans plotting to impose a nationwide abortion ban if they retake control of the US House and Senate later this year. Mr Biden vowed to block any such legislation.

"As long as I'm president and won't happen, because I'll veto it," he said.

Vice President Kamala Harris was expected to meet legislators from Indiana, Florida, South Dakota, Nebraska and Montana. Each state has a Republican-controlled state legislature and is expected to enact restrictive abortion laws in the next few weeks.

Ms Harris will “convey the administration’s commitment to protecting access to reproductive health care, and she will encourage the legislators to continue defending reproductive rights and freedoms at the state level,” the White House said in a statement.

Agencies contributed to this report