After Blowback From Fellow 2020 Dems, Biden Embraces Federally Funded Abortions

ATLANTA, GA - JUNE 06: Former vice president and 2020 Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden speaks to a crowd at a Democratic National Committee event at Flourish in Atlanta on June 6, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. The DNC held a gala to raise money for the DNC’s IWillVote program, which is aimed at registering voters. (Photo by Dustin Chambers/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Joe Biden; Joe Biden
ATLANTA, GA - JUNE 06: Former vice president and 2020 Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden speaks to a crowd at a Democratic National Committee event at Flourish in Atlanta on June 6, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia.... ATLANTA, GA - JUNE 06: Former vice president and 2020 Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden speaks to a crowd at a Democratic National Committee event at Flourish in Atlanta on June 6, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. The DNC held a gala to raise money for the DNCs IWillVote program, which is aimed at registering voters. (Photo by Dustin Chambers/Getty Images) MORE LESS
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Former Vice President Joe Biden changed his official stance on the use of federal funds for abortions.

According to video of his speech at a Democratic gala in Atlanta Thursday evening, Biden said he would no longer support the Hyde Amendment, which bans the use of federal Medicaid funds for abortions. Just hours before, Biden reiterated his support for the amendment only to reverse course Thursday after he was castigated by reproductive rights groups and many of his 2020 challengers.

“I can’t justify leaving millions of women without the access to care they need, and the ability to exercise their constitutionally protected right,” he said. “If I believe health care is a right, as I do, I can no longer support an amendment that makes that right dependent on someone’s zip code.”

Biden said he decided to flip-flop on his past belief in light of the Republican-led attacks on women’s health care happening in conservative states across the country.

Biden was rung out for his support of the Hyde Amendment of 1076, which disproportionately harms poor and minority communities. It bars the use of federal funds for abortions in all cases, except rape, incest, or when the mother’s life is in danger.

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