Jessica Valenti
Biden’s Middle Ground Politics are Bad for Women
There is no room for a presidential nominee who’s behind the curve on abortion rights.
It makes sense that Joe Biden would try to distinguish himself right now. In a crowded Democratic field, the former vice president hasn’t exactly been doing a ton of campaigning. The time is ripe to shake things up!
Coming out as the only nominee to support the Hyde Amendment, however — only to be forced to reverse his position after public pressure — is not exactly the distinction many on the left would like to see.
The Hyde Amendment — which prevents Medicaid money from funding abortion unless the pregnancy is a result of rape, incest, or would endanger a woman’s life — is a discriminatory policy. It ensures that poor women who rely on Medicaid cannot access care, even if they need an abortion to protect their health.
Biden’s support for Hyde had put him far out of step with the other candidates, and with leading abortion-rights groups. Planned Parenthood calls Hyde “harmful” and “penalizing,” and NARAL Pro-Choice America president Ilyse Hogue said Biden’s then-position “further endangers women and families already facing enormous hurdles.”
