President Joe Biden slammed the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade decision, which safeguarded abortion rights across the country, saying the justices deprived Americans of a fundamental right that has been in place for half a century.

The president stated that his administration would do everything possible to guarantee that women had access to abortion even in states where it is illegal. However, he stated that in order to codify Roe v. Wade safeguards into US law, people would need to elect more Democrats to Congress.

Also read: How period tracker apps data can be used now that Roe v Wade is overturned

“Now with Roe gone, we must be very clear: The health and life of women in this nation are now at risk,” Biden said on Friday in reaction to the SCOTUS decision.

He later said in an online statement, “While today’s Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade puts at risk the health and lives of women across America, most states in this country still recognize a woman’s right to choose.”

Also read: Roe v Wade: SCOTUS justices and their ‘right’ about turns on abortion

Biden went on to explain the steps that he and his administration would take on the matter.

“If you live in a state that restricts abortion, today’s decision does NOT prevent you from traveling to a state that allows it. If a state or local official tries to interfere with you exercising this basic right, I’ll do everything in my power to fight that un-American attack,” he explained in the statement.

Also read: Republican states pull the ‘trigger’ on abortion ban after Roe v Wade overturn

He also claimed, “My Administration will protect a woman’s access to medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration, like contraception and mifepristone, a FDA-approved drug that safely ends an early pregnancy of up to ten weeks and is commonly used to treat miscarriages.”

“Today, I’m directing the Department of Health and Human Services to ensure that medications like contraception and mifepristone are available to the fullest extent possible,” he added.