As for codifying Roe there may have been political expediency involved. Obamacare was the big issue. Immigration could have been settled by running ruff-shod over the GOP minority. Too much too soon would have very well been a gamble they were not willing to take. They lost the house anyway 2 years later.
True ,,the way the legislative process works ,,you can only take on so many big issues at any given time.
But I’ve heard some liberals say that they never believed Roe would ever be overturned. So in that case liberals would not have wanted to get into a legislative battle over abortion.
*Justice Ginsburg refused to take the hint and retire.*
Timing. Scalia died when the GOP had a senate majority.
I think Obama would have legalized abortion nationally on his way out if he had the chance. The issue is something that kept female voters engaged, a necessity. Same with the border. They wanted to keep the issue going.
If Trump wins the too-much-too-soon element needs be taken into account.He started with taxes last time and the balloon lost a lot of air due to rinos.