Thirteen states had trigger bans go into effect after Roe was reversed. During the midterms, some states had abortion measures on the ballot.
Megan Smith, USA TODAY
While congressional Republicans start zeroing in on the Biden administration, the president prepares to meet the nation’s mayors on an issue he likes to talk about: infrastructure.
President Joe Biden speaks Friday with members of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and delivers remarks on his administration’s record. Elsewhere in Washington, D.C., anti-abortion activists hold their annual march. And a key senator could announce he won’t run in 2024.
Here are some of the latest political developments:
- Biden is scheduled to meet with the bipartisan group of mayors at the White House before flying home to Delaware for the weekend.
- Virginia Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine is expected to announce Friday whether he’ll seek reelection in 2024, according to numerous media reports.
- An anti-abortion march Friday is designed to pressure Congress into passing new legislation, but their prospects are dim because Democrats control the Senate.
- The Supreme Court says it is unable to find out who leaked a draft of its anti-abortion ruling last year.
Both the annual Women’s March and National March for Life are set to take place this weekend on what would have been the 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, establishing their very different worldviews on abortion.
Anti-abortion groups will march on Washington, D.C. Friday following an assortment of events in the days leading up to the march, including exhibitions for individuals to connect with pro-life organizations and “pro-lifers” from around the country.
Unlike previous years, the Women’s March is set to take place in Madison, Wisconsin, on Sunday as the state has become home to a closely watched race for the state Supreme Court. The battle for abortion rights has shifted to the state level after the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade last year.
– Sarah Elbeshbishi
President Joe Biden is set to deliver remarks Friday to more than 175 mayors at the White House where he’s expected to tout federal funding for infrastructure and COVID-19 recovery efforts that’s flowed to cities during his administration.
Biden’s remarks, set for 2 p.m., will celebrate “the achievements of the past 18 months,” the White House said. Mayors across the country are in Washington for the annual U.S. Conference of Mayors Winter Meeting.
The president will also meet with a bipartisan group of mayors as some cities worry Republicans may try to take back the unspent portion of the $350 billion awarded to cities and states through the American Rescue Plan. Other mayors are expected to raise concerns about the influx of migrants on the southern border.
– Joey Garrison
Sen. Tim Kaine is expected to announce whether he’ll run for reelection next year or retire, opening up another seat Democrats will have to fight to keep blue, according to media reports.
The two-term senator and former Virginia governor is expected to discuss his future after he hosts an economic development roundtable in Richmond, according to a news release from his office.
Several media reports suggest Kaine, who turns 65 next month, could announce a decision to retire when his term expires. Democrats have a challenging Senate map two years from now even without having to replace the former 2016 vice presidential nominee.
– Ledyard King
Around the political world
Women’s march: ‘We will not go quietly’: Women’s March organizes more than 650 marches nationwide for reproductive rights
Debt ceiling reached: U.S. hits debt ceiling. Amid fears of debt default, Treasury begins ‘extraordinary’ measures
Abortion opinion mystery: Supreme Court says investigators have been unable to identify leaker of draft abortion opinion
