In a recent chat with Wisconsin Public Radio, Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris expressed her plans to collaborate with Congress to reinstate abortion rights across the country if elected in November.
The Vice President indicated her backing for abolishing the Senate filibuster to cement these rights into law, stating, “I think we should eliminate the filibuster for Roe so that 51 votes would be enough to restore protections for reproductive freedom,” according to an NPR interview aired Tuesday.
This marks Harris’ first public endorsement of eliminating the filibuster during her campaign. Currently, passing legislation requires 60 votes in the Senate. However, Harris feels optimistic about the Democrats gaining control of the House and maintaining Senate power to advance reproductive rights legislation.
In 2023, Wisconsin enacted a law legalizing abortion up to 22 weeks of gestation. Yet, opponents cite an 1849 law banning abortion except when the mother’s life is endangered. Courts have contended that this law pertains solely to infanticide, not consensual abortions.
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Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in the pivotal Dobbs decision two years ago, many states have taken action by passing laws to protect abortion rights.
This November, nine states— including critical swing states like Arizona and Nevada—will vote on abortion rights.
Commentator Mark Halperin remarked on Harris’ NPR statement during his 2Way talk, calling it “big news” and a “smart” move, despite potential disapproval from Senate leaders like Mitch McConnell.
Recently in Georgia, Harris shared a poignant story about Amber Nicole Thurman, which resonated deeply with the audience. The crowd chanted Thurman’s name in support, showcasing the emotional gravity of the abortion debate.
“Are we really saying that good policy only allows care when someone’s life is at risk?” Harris questioned, emphasizing the urgency of creating humane healthcare policies.
Earlier this month, Harris kicked off a “Fighting for Reproductive Freedom” bus tour across battleground states, making over 50 stops in both Democratic and Republican areas to discuss plans for restoring Roe v. Wade protections.
Trump has distanced himself from Project 2025, criticizing some ideas as “ridiculous.” Yet, his administration previously included judges seen as hostile toward reproductive rights, and his running mate, J.D. Vance, voted against protections for IVF.
As Trump’s platform could potentially restrict IVF and nationwide abortion access, spokesperson Sarafina Chitika urged voters to recognize that Vice President Harris is the only candidate committed to safeguarding women’s health care decisions.
Harris’s commitment to overcoming the filibuster has been evident for some time. In 2022, she expressed on X (formerly Twitter) that for Roe v. Wade to be codified, the Senate should make an exception if needed to bypass the filibuster.