On 8/3/2022, during the White House press briefing, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the Supreme Court overturning Roe v Wade was “unconstitutional.” She said, “There has been an urgency from this president from day one, when the Supreme Court made this extreme decision to take away a constitutional right, it was an unconstitutional action by them.” She also said Roe v Wade was “a right that was around for almost 50 years.”
Reporter: And just in terms of the timing of this executive order: Obviously, the idea of helping patients who need to travel out of state … I think that’s an idea that you all have been, obviously, talking about since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. I guess, why is this executive order coming out now and directing HHS to consider more actions? Presumably, they would have thinking about this already, right?
Jean-Pierre: Well, you know, as you know, the last executive order that we signed — the President signed was to create a task force. And that task force — one of the reasons it was created is so that it could be — streamline our efforts here and our efforts across the agencies to come up with ideas of how to move forward and how to move — the best way to really deal with … they are putting forth ideas and ways to move forward … But look, there has been an urgency from this President from day one when — when the Supreme Court made this extreme decision to take away a constitutional right. It was an unconstitu- — unconstitutional action by them — a right that was around for almost 50 years, a right that women had to make a decision on their …
Reporter: … On the Medicaid — on the proposal to have Medicaid fund travel expenses … how would that not violate Hyde if it’s using taxpayer dollars to pay for abortions?
Jean-Pierre: This EO does not — will not — will not violate the Hyde Amendment. It is law, and we follow the law here.
Reporter: Do the results in Kansas, as expressed by the people of that state, make the President feel that the members of his party should push stronger in Congress to repeal the Hyde Amendment?
Jean-Pierre: Oh, I mean, we’re — you know, the Hyde Amendment is law. And we’re going to — we’re going to follow that law. So I’m not going to get into more than that.
Reporter: And one more question on this. How will you be able to pay to help women pay to cross a state line to get somewhere else where they need to go, given the restrictions of the Hyde Amendment?
Jean-Pierre: So, that is something that HHS will come up with the details on that and —
Reporter: Have they — but you’re about to sign an EO. Have they not figured that out?
Jean-Pierre: Well, we’re going to leave it to HHS to come up with the details on the specifics on how they’re going to work with states — if a state asks for a waiver — and what that’s going to look like. So, this is going to be in their purview. They’re going to come up with the specifics — again, with the details on how this is going to work.
Reporter: But what is the timeline — specific timeline — on this EO? … will this help them get one? Are we talking about days? Are we talking about weeks? Are we talking about six months?
Jean-Pierre: So, that’s a great question. We don’t have the details to share today. But HHS will soon have more on what a waiver could look like in the timeline as you’re asking me and … So HHS — as you know, the President is going to sign the executive order. It says “to consider.” Secretary Becerra will then work with his team to figure out the details and the timeline.
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WH: “unconstitutional” for SCOTUS to overturn Roe, take away 50 years old constitutional right; Follow Hyde Amendment