Vice President Kamala Harris, during a recent visit to Wisconsin, doubled down on her commitment to eliminating the Senate filibuster in order to reinstate Roe v. Wade. She passionately stated, “I think we should eliminate the filibuster for Roe,” emphasizing her dedication to restoring access to abortion nationwide. Harris sees the filibuster, a Senate rule allowing a minority to block legislation, as an obstacle to safeguarding reproductive rights. “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,” she declared during a Wisconsin Public Radio interview.
This statement underscores her commitment to federalizing abortion access and making it a cornerstone of her Democratic bid for presidency. Her campaign visit to Wisconsin, a battleground state, highlights the significance she places on this issue in the upcoming election. Harris has consistently made abortion a central theme of her campaign, previously stating her support for ending the filibuster to pass the progressive Green New Deal climate legislation in 2019.
Beyond the issue of abortion, Harris expressed her belief that maintaining a Democratic Senate majority is within reach. She underlined the importance of not only securing the presidency but also holding onto the Senate and gaining seats in the House. This strategic approach emphasizes her understanding of the interconnected nature of these races and their impact on shaping the future political landscape.
Harris’s unwavering stance on eliminating the filibuster and her focus on reproductive rights have positioned her as a strong advocate for abortion rights within the Democratic party. This stance, alongside her proactive approach to campaign strategy, reflects her commitment to utilizing her position as Vice President and President of the Senate to advance her policy goals and influence the outcome of the upcoming election.
