On Friday, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul urged President Biden to consider using federal facilities, such as military bases, for abortions.
During a virtual meeting with the president, Hochul noted that military bases are federal land, meaning that federal law would allow the government to override state bans, ABC News reported.
She suggested that these facilities be used for abortions for women living in states that heavily restrict the procedure.
Following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, many states have begun to introduce legislation in regard to abortion.
“What am I talking about? Veterans hospitals, military bases and other places where the federal government controls the jurisdiction in some of the states that are hostile to women’s rights, and make sure that those services can be available to other women,” Hochul said.
New Mexico’s Lujan Grisham said she agreed “wholeheartedly” with Hochul and suggested the use of Indian Health Service clinics and tribal territory, where state law does not govern, according to ABC.
“I share the public outrage at this extremist court that’s committed to moving America backwards with fewer rights, less autonomy,” Biden said from the White House’s South Court Auditorium.
Despite agreeing with Democratic leaders on the need for reproductive healthcare availability for all, the White House said using government-owned property could have “dangerous ramifications”.
At the moment, federal facilities can only perform abortions in the case of rape, incest or where the life of the mother is in danger, reported the Daily Caller.
Hochul recently called New York a “safe harbor” and explained that she has designated $35 million to abortion providers to ramp up their services as a flood of people coming to New York is expected.
