Vice President Kamala Harris shifts stance on Senate filibuster, now advocating for its elimination to codify Roe v. Wade into federal law.
At a Glance
- Harris supports ending the filibuster to pass abortion rights legislation with 51 votes
- This marks a reversal from her 2017 position supporting the filibuster
- The move aims to distinguish Democrats from Republicans on abortion rights
- Some Democrats, including Senators Manchin and Sinema, oppose changing filibuster rules
- Harris’s stance aligns with President Biden’s support for a filibuster exception on abortion rights
Harris Calls for Filibuster Elimination on Abortion Rights
Vice President Kamala Harris has publicly endorsed eliminating the Senate filibuster to codify abortion rights into federal law. In a recent interview with Wisconsin Public Radio, Harris stated her support for removing the legislative hurdle to restore protections previously established by Roe v. Wade.
Harris’s position represents a significant shift from her earlier stance. In 2017, she co-signed a bipartisan letter urging Senate leaders to maintain the filibuster to promote thorough legislative debate. This evolution in her approach aligns with broader Democratic efforts to protect abortion rights following the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade in June 2022.
Vice President Kamala Harris announced Tuesday that she would support eliminating the filibuster in the Senate for the purpose of codifying abortion protections previously offered under Roe v. Wade into federal law.https://t.co/ZxfVj3abbU
— KOMO News (@komonews) September 24, 2024
Democratic Strategy and Republican Response
The Vice President’s call to end the filibuster for abortion legislation is part of a larger Democratic strategy to distinguish their party from Republicans on reproductive rights issues. This move comes as former President Trump faces criticism for his stance on abortion, with Harris accusing him of potentially supporting a nationwide ban.
“I think we should eliminate the filibuster for Roe,” Harris told the radio station in an interview that aired Tuesday.
Republicans have criticized Harris’s shift in position. Senator Tom Cotton suggested that her word is “meaningless,” highlighting the Vice President’s previous support for maintaining the filibuster. This change in stance has become a point of contention in the ongoing abortion debate.
Intra-Party Divisions on Filibuster Reform
Harris’s position on the filibuster is not universally supported within the Democratic Party. Senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema, both retiring in January, have reaffirmed their opposition to changing filibuster rules. Their departure may provide an opportunity for Democrats to alter the rule in the future, should they maintain their majority.
“She knows the filibuster is the Holy Grail of democracy,” he said. “It’s the only thing that keeps us talking and working together. If she gets rid of that, then this would be the House on steroids.”
Manchin emphasized the filibuster’s importance for democracy and bipartisan cooperation, while Sinema warned that eliminating it could enable a future Congress to ban abortion nationwide with a simple majority. These concerns highlight the complex implications of altering long-standing Senate rules.
Looking Ahead: Political Implications
As the 2024 election approaches, Harris’s stance on the filibuster and abortion rights is likely to play a significant role in the Democratic campaign strategy. The Vice President has emphasized the importance of maintaining a Democratic majority in both the Senate and House to advance their legislative agenda, including codifying Roe v. Wade.
However, Democrats face a challenging electoral map in the Senate, defending seats in several key states. The debate over the filibuster and abortion rights will undoubtedly continue to be a central issue as both parties vie for control of Congress and the White House in the upcoming election cycle.
