SW News: After a Biden administration official suggested calling a public health emergency to expand abortion access, Republican Senator Marco Rubio introduced legislation the following day to block it.

On Tuesday, Rubio introduced a measure to prohibit emergency declarations that promoted, supported, or expanded abortion access or penalized states that made abortion tougher. It would be clear that the president and HHS secretary couldn't proclaim national or Stafford Act emergencies or public health emergencies.

Over 80 Democratic senators have asked President Joe Biden and his staff to declare a state of emergency to make abortions more accessible. According to Axios, the Department of Health and Human Services is contemplating declaring a public health emergency. The government has not yet decided on a course of action.

Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra said that this possible plan is being considered. Becerra allegedly said that a public health emergency must meet certain criteria. "That's generally done by scientists and others who are specialists in those sectors and who will warn us if we are in a situation of emergency," he said.

Extreme weather, disease outbreaks, and other health challenges frequently generate public health emergencies. This power should not be used to extend abortion access, according to pro-life lawmakers and groups.

Emergency status "may make it simpler for patients to procure abortions or abortion medications out of state. It would provide funds for unmet requirements that wouldn't otherwise be provided,” said Abortion legal specialist and the University of California law professor Mary Ziegler.

Mississippi Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith, chairman of the Senate's Pro-Life Caucus, stated, "The Biden administration sought to proclaim a national emergency to promote mass abortions while spending little on real crises like the one at our southern border. It reveals how distant President Biden is." According to Carol Tobias, executive director of the National Right to Life Committee, making abortion more accessible would violate the law and cause legal issues.

Meanwhile, Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of SBA Pro-Life America, called a public health emergency declaration "extremist pro-abortion."