Despite Democrats’ stronger-than-expected showing in the midterm elections, President Joe Biden is not confident he will be able to check off another part of his agenda.
While taking reporters’ questions in Indonesia Monday, Biden was asked by NBC News’ Peter Alexander, “What can Americans expect from Congress as it relates to abortion rights after the midterms?”
“I don’t think they can expect much of anything other than we’re going to maintain our positions. I’m not gonna get into more questions. I shouldn’t even answer your question,” Biden responded.
He went on to explain, “I don’t think there’s enough votes to codify [Roe v. Wade] unless something happens unusual in the House. I think we’re going to get very close in the House, but I don’t think we’re going to make it.”
Watch the video below:
REPORTER: "What can Americans expect from Congress as it relates to abortion rights after the midterms?"
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) November 14, 2022
BIDEN: "I don't think they can expect much of anything…I'm not gonna get into more questions. I shouldn't even answer your question." pic.twitter.com/XV24Lb2FBr
In October, the president shared that his first legislative priority, if Democrats expanded their majorities, would be protecting abortion access.
“The court got Roe right nearly 50 years ago,” Biden declared. “And I believe Congress should codify Roe once and for all.”
He went on, “Right now, we’re short a handful of votes. If you care about the right to choose, then you’ve got to vote. That’s why in these midterm elections, it’s so critical to elect more Democratic senators to the United States Senate and more Democrats to keep control of the House of Representatives.”
“The first bill that I will send to the Congress will be to codify Roe v. Wade. And when Congress passes it, I’ll sign it in January — 50 years after Roe was first decided the law of the land,” he added.
President Biden says if Democrats keep the House and expand their majority in the Senate, the first bill he would sign in the next Congress would be to codify Roe v. Wade. pic.twitter.com/szaMTrEKoP
— The Recount (@therecount) October 18, 2022
However, when everything is all said and done, Democrats could wind up again with an evenly divided Senate, or a slim 51-seat majority.
On Saturday night, several networks began to call the race for Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.).
Her victory ensures Democrats will keep at least 50 seats.
The race for Senate in Georgia is heading to a run-off on Dec. 6 as neither Sen. Raphael Warnock (D) nor Herschel Walker (R) won more than 50% of the vote. If Warnock wins, Democrats would expand their Senate majority by one seat.
As of Monday morning, the House was too close to call.
However, NBC News estimates Republicans could win 219 seats and control the chamber, which would make it much harder for Biden to accomplish his legislative agenda.