It's up to Congress. Uh...no.
It's actually up to SCOTUS.
The president can not make or repeal any law affecting abortion.
True. But what CAN a president do?
- Nominate judges for SCOTUS and lower courts.
- Appoint an AG to enforce what laws are out there to the maximum degree possible (or to ignore the same)
- Appoint an HHS Secretary to adopt appropriate regulations to restrict access to abortions to the maximum degree possible (or to facilitate access to the maximum degree possible)
- Fill other executive branch offices with people who will leverage the regulatory authority of the Executive Branch to the best degree to inhibit abortion mills (or to ease their operation)
- Sign executive orders that either permit or prohibit abortions in facilities operated by the Executive Branch (e.g., military)
- Sign executive orders that permit funding of the UN and of NGOs that provide or facilitate abortions
- Veto budgetary measures if Congress tries to appropriate money for the same purposes
- Utilize the "bully pulpit" to the maximum degree possible
Reagan, while he wasn't able to get the appropriate laws passed, DID take many of the above executive actions.
It amazes me how many people don't know how the system works.
Me too.