President Joe Biden and the Democratic Party are expected to use the upcoming State of the Union address to advocate for abortion rights and intertwine in vitro fertilization (IVF) with their pro-choice agenda. Biden’s anticipated emphasis on abortion aligns with his ongoing advocacy leading up to the presidential election, particularly following the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision.
The strategy employed by Biden and his fellow Democrats has been to portray Republican efforts to enact pro-life legislation as extreme, often attributing the demise of Roe v. Wade to former President Donald Trump.
As part of their approach, Biden and Democrats plan to highlight personal stories of individuals affected by abortion, including tragic situations, as well as include IVF experts and those born through IVF as guests during the address.
For instance, First Lady Jill Biden has invited Kate Cox, a mother from Texas who sought an abortion for her disabled baby at 21 weeks of pregnancy but faced legal obstacles. Democratic Whip Katherine Clark has extended an invitation to Amanda Zurawski, who faced life-threatening complications due to delayed access to medically necessary abortion care in Texas.
Pro-Life Advocates Anticipate Biden’s Use of Tragic Situations to Promote Abortion Agenda in State of the Union (Credits: AP News)
The overarching aim of Democrats, as articulated by Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America’s Vice President of State Affairs, Stephen Billy, is to leverage emotional narratives to advance their political agenda, particularly in expanding access to abortion services.
This approach has drawn criticism from pro-life advocates, who argue that Biden and Democrats exploit tragic circumstances for political gain and perpetuate misinformation about abortion laws.
In response to the confusion surrounding abortion restrictions, Dr. Ingrid Skop of the Charlotte Lozier Institute emphasized that existing laws prioritize life-saving medical interventions for pregnant women, contrary to claims suggesting otherwise. Nonetheless, the lack of clarity has led to instances where women are denied proper medical care, highlighting the need for education among healthcare professionals.
Meanwhile, Republicans in states like South Dakota are taking steps to combat misinformation by implementing measures to educate healthcare providers and the public about abortion laws and medical treatments available to pregnant women facing life-threatening conditions.
Furthermore, Democrats have seized on recent legal developments, such as the Alabama Supreme Court’s ruling recognizing frozen embryos as unborn children, to bolster their arguments in support of abortion rights. However, critics question the consistency of Democratic support for IVF given the ethical complexities associated with the procedure.
In sum, President Biden’s upcoming State of the Union address is poised to underscore the divisive issue of abortion and its intersection with reproductive technologies like IVF. As the political debate intensifies, both sides continue to advocate for their respective positions on women’s reproductive rights and healthcare.
