The United States defended itself Tuesday before a UN rights scrutiny body, insisting President Joe Biden would continue pushing Congress to pass laws restoring former abortion rights. Washington also stressed its commitment to LGBTQ+ rights, Indigenous rights, and racial equity. The United Nations Human Rights Committee, a body of 18 independent experts, monitors the implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) by its state parties and conducts regular country reviews. Tuesday saw the United States in the hot seat in Geneva as the committee raked over Washington's record and asked what improvements had been made since the fourth US periodic review. In 2022 the conservative-dominated US Supreme Court overturned the landmark 1973 "Roe v Wade" decision that had enshrined a woman's right to a pregnancy termination. Justin Vail, Biden's special assistant for democracy and civic participation on the Domestic Policy Council, gave opening remarks for the U.S. Delegation ICCPR presentation to the Committee stressing the administration's commitment to protecting and advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights. He also ensured that the Biden administration stands with the majority of Americans who believe the right to choose is fundamental and will motivate Congress to pass a law restoring the protections of Roe v Wade. #LGBTQ+ Civil Rights