A new executive order aims to preserve abortion access, but its reach is limited

Abortion rights activists march from the Supreme Court to the House of Representatives office buildings on Wednesday.

Drew Angerer / Drew Angerer

President Biden will sign an executive order to take some incremental steps to try to preserve access to abortion services after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade two weeks ago.

At least nine states have banned abortion so far — including Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, West Virginia and Wisconsin. A dozen more states are expected to prohibit or restrict the procedure in the coming weeks.

The executive order makes a limited effort