US backsliding on women's rights underscores systemic flaws

SYSTEMIC FAILURE

The US Supreme Court is the final appellate court of the nation's judicial system, with the power to review and overturn lower court decisions. It is generally the final interpreter of federal law, including the constitution. Its rulings have far-reaching consequences for American society and politics.

The high court has increasingly come under scrutiny over the past few decades, particularly in recent years, amid the political polarization in Washington and throughout America. Questions surrounding its decisions and the court's independence have dominated the news cycle.

Confidence in the Supreme Court has declined sharply over the past year and reached a new low in Gallup's nearly 50-year trend. Only 25 percent of US adults express "a great deal" or "quite a lot" of confidence in the institution where conservatives have a 6-3 advantage over liberals on the nine-seat bench.

"It's a hot mess," said Celeste Gilbert, an abortion-rights supporter who lives in Virginia, describing the state of America. "Our elderly don't receive the healthcare. Our veterans don't get what they need. Our children aren't getting what they need. We've got gun troubles."

White also felt disappointed about the country's direction, calling what had happened with abortion rights "the tip of an iceberg."

Democrats in the US House of Representatives plan to vote next week on bills protecting abortion access. But some Republican governors and anti-abortion groups are looking at laws that would criminalize patients seeking abortions out of state. The bills face long odds in the evenly-divided Senate since Democrats do not have enough support to pass the filibuster's 60-vote threshold.

Biden acknowledged his executive order alone could not guarantee abortion rights in states that have moved to ban access and encouraged Democrats to vote in November's midterm elections. "We need two additional pro-choice senators and a pro-choice House to codify Roe as federal law. Your vote can make that a reality," he said Friday.

However, the current Democratic congressional majority faces an unfavorable election environment since the president's party typically loses seats on Capitol Hill in midterm elections, and Biden's approval rating remains low.

Republicans, in contrast, have defended the conservative-leaning Supreme Court and its ruling on Roe v. Wade and are said to be contemplating a national anti-abortion bill if they win control of Congress later this year, with a 15-week ban reportedly on the table.