During the transition period between President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump, there has been some coordination on West Wing affairs, but not when it comes to Biden's Gender Policy Council. The council was established through an executive order by Biden in September 2021, with the aim of driving policies to improve the lives of women and girls in the U.S. and globally.
Over the past four years, the Gender Policy Council has focused on advancing reproductive freedom, promoting pay equity, and increasing women's participation in the workforce. Members of Biden's Cabinet have representatives on the council, which has worked to defend reproductive health care in the face of growing restrictions.
Project 2025, a conservative handbook led by the Heritage Foundation, has recommended axing the Gender Policy Council, citing concerns about its promotion of abortion. The handbook proposes revoking the executive order that created the council and eliminating policies related to its establishment.
The Gender Policy Council has also addressed health disparities and advocated for women's health research initiatives. Biden has signed executive orders and a presidential memorandum to protect access to reproductive health and has worked on lowering child care payments and improving paid leave for families.
While some of the council's work may remain intact, the future of reproductive health care policies is uncertain following the U.S. Supreme Court's overturning of abortion rights in 2022. Access to abortion and reproductive care has become a major focus for the council as states have imposed restrictions.
Despite bipartisan support for certain women's issues, reproductive health care remains contentious. The council has collaborated with the Department of Health and Human Services to safeguard access to care, particularly in light of emergency situations where women have been denied treatment due to abortion restrictions.
Trump's stance on abortion access has been inconsistent, with shifts in his position over time. While he has indicated leaving abortion limits to the states, he has also nominated justices who have impacted federal protections for abortion. Most recently, Trump expressed reluctance to restrict access to medication abortion, stating that his position has remained consistent but acknowledging the potential for change.
