Joe Biden says he can 'no longer support' the Hyde Amendment

Former Vice President Joe Biden announced on Thursday night that he has reversed course and now thinks the Hyde Amendment should be repealed.

"We now see so many Republican governors denying health care to millions of the poorest and most vulnerable Americans by refusing even Medicaid expansion," the 2020 Democratic presidential candidate said during an appearance in Atlanta. "I can't justify leaving millions of women without access to the care they need and the ability to exercise their constitutionally protected right. 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."

The Hyde Amendment prohibits the use of federal funds to pay for abortions, except in cases of rape, incest, or when a woman's life is in jeopardy. Biden is Catholic, and earlier this week he said again that while he believes Roe v. Wade should be upheld, he also was in favor of the Hyde Amendment. Several of his fellow Democratic candidates made statements slamming the amendment, including Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up