Julian Castro on Abortion Democratic Presidential Challenger (withdrawn); former HUD Secretary

Codify Roe v. Wade, repeal Hyde Amendment

V.P. Joe BIDEN: I would not pack the Court. What I would do is make sure that the people that I recommended for the Court [would] support the right of privacy.

Mayor Pete BUTTIGIEG: I'm not talking about packing the Court just with people who agree with me. What I'm talking about is reforms that will depoliticize the Court.

CASTRO: I wouldn't pack the Court. The might be to look at term limits or having people cycle off from the appellate courts. So that you would have a replenishment of perspective. I would also make sure that I appoint, as president, people who respect the precedent of Roe v. Wade. That we codify Roe v. Wade. That we do away with things like the Hyde Amendment because you shouldn't only be able to have reproductive freedom if you have money. We have to concern ourselves not only with reproductive freedom but also reproductiv

I believe in reproductive freedom and reproductive justice

CASTRO: Yes, it would. I don't believe only in reproductive freedom, I believe in reproductive justice. What that means is that just because a woman is poor, doesn't mean they shouldn't have the right to exercise that right to choose. And so I absolutely would cover the right to have an abortion. More than that, everybody in this crowd and watching at home knows that in our country today, a person's right to choose is under assault in places like Missouri, in Alabama, in Georgia. I would appoint judges to the federal bench that understand the precedent of Roe v. Wade and will respect it. And in addition to that, make sure that we fight hard as we transition our health care system to one where everybody can get and exercise that right.

I believe in a woman's right to choose

Opposed Texas blocking abortions after 20 weeks

Allow abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy