As he signed an order protecting abortion access, President Joe Biden stated that a federal law was the best way to restore abortion rights.
He described the recent Supreme Court abortion decision, which ended the nationwide right, as "an exercise of raw political power".
It allowed individual states in the US to decide whether or not to allow abortions.
Biden was under pressure to take bolder action in response to the ruling.
The Friday presidential order was signed by President Obama. It is expected to have limited effect - to reduce some restrictions, but not completely restore abortion rights.
Biden maintained that he is limited in his ability to establish abortion rights without the US Congress' approval.
Biden stated that "the fastest way to restore Roe" was to pass a law in the nation codifying Roe. He was referring to the 1973 landmark ruling that guaranteed constitutional rights to abortion.
He stressed that this was an issue for the upcoming midterm elections. He urged people vote in Democratic majorities to speed up Roe V Wade's return and said that Americans had the option of voting "the mainstream" or "the extreme".
He also mentioned a recent report in which a 10-year old girl from Ohio was forced to travel to another state for an abortion. She had been sexually abused.
Imagine being a little girl. Imagine being a little girl 10 years ago. He said, "Do you believe that?"
The new executive order by Mr Biden increases protection against possible penalties for women seeking abortion if they travel over state lines to perform the procedure. It also protects contraception access and privacy.
It includes measures to ensure access to abortion medication.
Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra is directed by the order to submit a report within thirty days regarding these efforts.
Biden also directed the attorney general, White House counsel, to convene private volunteer lawyers and public interest organizations to encourage legal representation of those seeking or providing reproductive health services.
Nearly nine states have implemented a ban on abortion since the Supreme Court's decision nearly two weeks ago. The only exception is the danger to the mother's life.
Others are trying to preserve abortion access amid legal challenges. Abortion clinics are finding it difficult to navigate the patchwork of new laws.
Abortion rights activists have been calling for Joe Biden's attention since Roe v Wade was thrown out by the Supreme Court.
Many viewed the initial reaction of the US president, a sadness-filled expression and a plea to vote Democratic in November’s midterm elections as inadequate.
The White House couldn't ignore the whispers that Mr Biden wasn't up to the task due to his advancing age or political disposition.
The President's power to ban abortion is restricted, especially considering the long-standing congressional provisions that prevent the federal government spending funds to support it - provisions Mr Biden once supported.
This leaves the president in an awkward position.
According to opinion polls, the majority of Americans support keeping abortion legal in all 50 states. However, any broad-based measures that Mr Biden might take will be challenged quickly by the courts. The public's support for President Obama's action, even if it is not from his liberal base, could decrease if they view the White House as beyond its power.
