Biden Ahead of Midterm Elections Rekindles Abortion Rights Issue... Strategic Petroleum Reserve Release (Comprehensive)

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Seulgina Jo] U.S. President Joe Biden declared that if the Democratic Party wins the midterm elections this November, the first bill to be processed in Congress next year will be one that guarantees abortion rights. As recent multiple polls predicted the opposition Republican Party's lead based on the 'economic judgment theory,' he reignited the abortion rights controversy as a kind of 'vote consolidation' strategy. President Biden also announced plans to release additional strategic petroleum reserves to curb rising gasoline prices.

◆Announcement of Abortion Rights Legalization...Targeting Progressive Camp Consolidation and Swing Voters

In a speech at the Howard Theater in Washington DC on the 18th (local time), President Biden stated, "If you care about the right to choose, you must vote."

President Biden appealed for voter support so that the ruling Democratic Party could control Congress, saying, "We lack votes." He referred to the conservative-controlled federal Supreme Court's decision last June to overturn the 'Roe v. Wade' ruling that legalized abortion rights, emphasizing, "The only sure way to stop these extreme laws that put women's health and rights on the line is for Congress to pass a law."

He added that if victorious in the November midterm elections, "I promise the American people that the first bill I send to Congress will codify 'Roe v. Wade,'" and "If Congress passes the bill, I will sign it in January next year, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade ruling." The Roe v. Wade ruling was a January 22, 1973, federal Supreme Court decision recognizing women's right to abortion as a constitutional right.

Since the Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade last June, abortion rights have been a major issue driving the consolidation of the progressive camp. By announcing plans to sign a federal law codifying Roe v. Wade in January next year, the 50th anniversary of the ruling, President Biden is targeting not only the progressive camp but also swing voters.

Already, various polls have confirmed that over 60% of respondents support Roe v. Wade. The rejection of a state constitutional amendment to remove abortion protection provisions in Kansas, a Republican stronghold, last August is also seen as an example revealing the political influence of abortion rights.

At a Democratic Party event held in Washington DC last month, President Biden emphasized, "If the Democratic Party secures two more Senate seats, we will codify Roe v. Wade," and "We will once again protect women's right to choose."

To codify abortion rights into federal law, the Democratic Party must maintain a majority in the House and hold at least 60 of the 100 Senate seats to overcome the filibuster. Analysts locally say that at least 52 seats are needed to change Senate rules to prevent filibusters and attempt bill passage. Currently, the Democrats hold the majority in the House, while the Senate is split between Republicans and Democrats.

◆Biden, Concerned About Rising Gas Prices, to Announce Strategic Petroleum Reserve Release Tomorrow

President Biden is also moving to release additional strategic petroleum reserves. This is analyzed as a move to respond to rising gasoline prices, a representative indicator of felt inflation, ahead of the midterm elections.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre confirmed in an afternoon briefing that there will be an announcement tomorrow (the 19th) regarding the additional strategic petroleum reserve release, stating, "President Biden will make the announcement personally."

Earlier, local media reported that the Biden administration could release up to 14 to 15 million barrels. Earlier this month, President Biden criticized the production cut decision by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Plus, which consists of oil-producing countries, and announced plans for such strategic petroleum reserve releases. The release of strategic petroleum reserves is one of the tools the U.S. president can independently use to curb inflation.

Along with this, the Biden administration is discussing with oil companies the plan to release and sell an additional 26 million barrels during the 2023 fiscal year (October 1, 2022 ? September 30, 2023). They are also discussing measures to control oil exports to stabilize prices, but internal consensus has not yet been reached.

This strategic petroleum reserve release decision is particularly notable as gasoline prices have recently shown signs of rising again. President Biden has claimed that his economic policies have been effective over the past few months, citing the downward trend in gasoline prices as a representative example.

According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), the national average gasoline price in the U.S. surpassed $5 per gallon in June this year but dropped to the $3 range. However, it has recently shown a slight upward trend, recording $3.89 as of this day. This is 20 cents higher than the previous month and 56 cents higher than the same period last year. More than 12 states have seen gasoline prices surpass $4 per gallon again.

Local media interpret President Biden's strategic petroleum reserve release decision as a 'pre-election price control move,' given that rising gasoline prices significantly impact the inflation felt in daily life. Bloomberg News reported that this release plan will be implemented before the November 8 midterm elections. Politico conveyed the significance, stating, "The Biden administration has focused on the political importance of gasoline prices in voters' economic judgments."

◆Three Weeks Left Until Midterm Elections...Economy and Inflation Are Key Issues

On the same day, a joint poll by the New York Times (NYT) and Siena College showed that 49% of respondents intend to vote for Republican candidates in the midterm elections on the 8th of next month, ahead of the Democratic Party's 45%. Last month's poll showed a 1% lead for the Democrats, but this has reversed. The NYT reported, "As the economy and inflation emerge as major issues, the Republicans are leading."

Voters cited the economy (26%) and inflation (18%) as the main issues. Issues emphasized by the Democrats, such as democracy (8%), abortion rights (5%), and climate change (3%), received lower responses. Notably, 64% of respondents who identified the economy and inflation as key issues supported the Republican Party, confirming the so-called 'economic judgment theory.'

The U.S. midterm elections, held every four years, are generally considered a graveyard for the ruling party. This is because they serve as a midterm evaluation of the incumbent president and a forecast of the next presidential election's landscape. In the midterm elections scheduled for the 8th of next month, 35 of the 100 federal senators, all 435 members of the House of Representatives, and 34 of the 50 governors will be newly elected.

The opposition Republican Party is also emphasizing the 'economic judgment theory,' highlighting soaring inflation and other issues. Earlier, the Brookings Institution analyzed the issues most frequently mentioned in campaigns by candidates from both parties last month: the Democrats focused on healthcare, abortion, and climate change, while the Republicans emphasized economic judgment theory including inflation, immigration, guns, and taxes/regulations.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.