Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer called on United States President Joe Biden to ensure that Americans can legally cross over to Canada while carrying abortion pills.
The Democratic official has been fighting against a dormant anti-abortion law in her state that became active after the country's Supreme Court overturned the landmark Roe v. Wade. Despite the governor being supportive of abortion rights, Republicans are in control of the state's legislature.
Fight For Abortion Rights
Michigan belongs to nine states that had laws banning abortion from before the 1973 Supreme Court decision. With the recent overruling, the old law could go back into effect, and many GOP members in the state legislature are pushing for that very instance.
Recently, a state court temporarily blocked Michigan's 91-year-old law in response to a lawsuit from Planned Parenthood, and Whitmer has filed her own suit requesting that the Supreme Court determine whether or not the state constitution provides a right to abortion.
The Democratic governor also issued an executive directive telling state agencies not to cooperate in any investigation into someone who provides an abortion or helps someone get an abortion. Whitmer is also supportive of an effort to get a measure that would enshrine abortion rights into the state constitution on the ballot this November, as per the Time.
Due to President Biden being limited in the federal actions that he can take on abortion, each state's leadership is poised to play an important role in determining the future of abortion within their territories. This comes as many of Michigan's neighboring states are likely to restrict the procedure or have already done so.
Whitmer also faces a high-stakes re-election fight for her position this fall as she continues to protect abortion rights in Michigan. In an interview on July 1, the governor said that she has felt "heavy" the week following the Supreme Court's decision.
According to ABC News, medication abortion, which typically involves two pills and is available globally, is approved by United States regulators. However, this is only under a prescription from a certified clinician and obtained by certain manufacturers. Furthermore, states whose legislators oppose abortion have limited or banned access to the drugs completely.
Whitmer's Dilemma
"In this perilous, precarious moment for women's fundamental rights, we need to be creative and take bold action. We must lead," said Whitmer in a statement. The situation comes as Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and other officials have indicated that Americans are free to access abortion care in his country.
The fight for abortion rights comes as Republicans struggle to defeat Whitmer in her home state due to their candidates' baggage. A leading contender for the Republican nomination for Michigan governor was sued in the 1990s after being accused of using racial slurs against Black people in the workplace and sexually harassing his employees.
One of his rivals also pleaded guilty in federal court on Thursday to misdemeanor charges after authorities said he rallied former President Donald Trump's supporters to march to the Capitol. Another candidate is a chiropractor and self-help guru who hawked supplements he falsely claimed could be used to treat COVID-19, the Independent reported.
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