Biden backs filibuster changes to codify Roe v. Wade

President Biden said Thursday he would support changing the Senate's filibuster rules for Congress to pass a federal law codifying Roe v. Wade.

Why it matters: With the current 60-vote threshold, Democrats have few legislative options to fight the end of the nationwide right to an abortion.

The big picture: Democrats have previously attempted and failed to pass legislation to protect abortion rights on the federal level, and while they have a 50-vote majority in the Senate, such a bill cannot pass unless they change filibuster rules.

Despite not meeting the 60-vote threshold, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has indicated that bills have been introduced to "codify freedoms which Americans currently enjoy," such as abortion rights and same-sex marriage.

Justice Clarence Thomas, who joined the Supreme Court majority in overturning Roe, said that he believes the court should reconsider landmark decisions on contraception access, same-sex relationships and same-sex marriage.