In a recent conversation, Vice President Kamala Harris voiced her strong support for abolishing the filibuster in the Senate, particularly to advance federal protections for abortion rights.
This topic has gained urgency following the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade, which has hindered progress on abortion access legislation.
Advocating for Reproductive Freedom
During an interview aired on Wisconsin Public Radio, Harris emphasized her belief that eliminating the filibuster is essential.
She stated, “I’ve been very clear, I think we should eliminate the filibuster for Roe, and get us to the point where 51 votes would be what we need to actually put back in law the protections for reproductive freedom and for the ability of every person and every woman to make decisions about their own body and not have their government tell them what to do.”
The Democratic Party has been striving to reinstate the abortion protections that Roe v. Wade once guaranteed.
However, the current Senate landscape complicates these efforts, as Democrats require 60 votes to overcome the filibuster, despite holding only a slim 51-seat majority.
The Road Ahead
Harris has taken a prominent role in advocating for abortion access since the Dobbs decision shifted the authority back to individual states.
She acknowledges that the road to federal protection requires Congressional action.
“We need the votes in Congress to do exactly what you are saying, and that’s true,” she noted.
Harris remains optimistic about maintaining a Senate majority and regaining control of the House.
As the 2024 presidential election approaches, abortion rights are emerging as a critical issue.
After becoming a rallying point for Democrats during the 2022 midterms, Harris has intensified her campaign efforts, promoting reproductive freedoms through advertisements and a nationwide ‘Fight for Reproductive Freedom’ bus tour across pivotal states.
Targeting the Opposition
The overturning of Roe has also put former President Donald Trump and other Republicans on the defensive.
Harris and other Democrats hold them accountable for this reversal, pointing out that Trump nominated three of the six conservative justices responsible for the Dobbs ruling.
Recently, Harris traveled to Atlanta, Georgia, in the wake of a ProPublica report linking two women’s deaths to the state’s restrictive abortion ban.
During her speech, she honored Amber Nicole Thurman, a 28-year-old mother who died after medical professionals delayed necessary care due to the six-week abortion law.
Harris described these deaths as “preventable” and “predictable,” although some critics accused her of exploiting these tragedies for political gain.
Commitment to Action
Throughout her campaign, Harris has consistently pledged to sign legislation to codify Roe should it pass through Congress.
Efforts to protect abortion access began as early as May 2022, following the leak of the Supreme Court decision, but those attempts have met with resistance.
A subsequent effort in July also faced a blockade from Republican senators.
President Biden has expressed his support for amending the filibuster to facilitate the passage of abortion protections.
As vice president, Harris has promised to be the tie-breaking vote needed to eliminate the filibuster for codifying Roe, and her recent comments reinforce her commitment to this stance as the Democratic presidential nominee.
What Lies Ahead?
As the political landscape evolves, the push for reproductive rights continues to be a defining issue for both parties.
The upcoming months will be crucial in determining how the fight for abortion access unfolds on the national stage.