Jill Biden invites Texas mother who sought emergency abortion to State of the Union

Catch up quick: Kate Cox sued the state last month over its abortion ban. She sought an emergency exception for a pregnancy destined to end in miscarriage, stillbirth or newborn death.

• Cox was granted permission to receive an emergency abortion but a higher court temporarily halted the permission, leaving her waiting for a ruling from the Texas Supreme Court.
• Cox left the state to obtain the emergency abortion, while the Texas Supreme Court ultimately ruled against her right to get an abortion in the state.

State of play: President Biden and Jill Biden spoke with Cox on Sunday, Jean-Pierre said at a press briefing.

• "They thanked her for her courage in sharing her story and speaking out about the impact of the extreme abortion ban in Texas," Jean-Pierre said.
• Jill Biden invited Cox to be one of the first lady's guests at the State of the Union, which Cox accepted, the press secretary added.

The big picture: Democrats and the White House are emphasizing reproductive rights as a key issue going into the 2024 election.

• Abortion rights — which remain popular with the majority of Americans — present a vulnerability for Republican candidates.
• While Cox' case garnered national attention last month, prominent Republicans refused to weigh in.
• The Biden-Harris administration is "standing with majority of Americans on this .... and Republican elected officials are just not," Jean-Pierre said.

Go deeper: Abortion rights win big in 2023 off-year elections