Vice President Harris Advocates Filibuster Change to Protect Abortion Rights

Woman speaking behind a podium with blue backdrop.

Vice President Kamala Harris calls for eliminating the Senate filibuster to codify Roe v. Wade, sparking debate and opposition within her own party.

At a Glance

Harris supports ending the filibuster specifically to reinstate federal abortion protections
This stance marks a shift from her previous position on preserving the filibuster
Key Democratic Senators Manchin and Sinema oppose changing filibuster rules
The move aims to differentiate Democrats from potential Republican policies on abortion rights
Critics warn of potential long-term consequences of altering Senate procedures

Harris Advocates for Filibuster Change

Vice President Kamala Harris has taken a bold stance on Senate procedure, calling for the elimination of the filibuster to codify abortion rights into federal law. In a recent interview with Wisconsin Public Radio, Harris stated her position clearly: “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.” This marks a significant shift from her previous stance and highlights the administration’s commitment to preserving reproductive freedoms in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.

Harris’s new position underscores the evolving political landscape and the Democrats’ strategy to address critical issues facing the nation. By advocating for this change, the Vice President aims to distinguish the Democratic platform from potential Republican policies on abortion rights, particularly in the context of the upcoming election.

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

Opposition Within the Democratic Party

Despite Harris’s strong stance, the move to weaken the filibuster rule has divided Democrats. Key Senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema, both defenders of the filibuster, have reaffirmed their opposition to changing the rules. Manchin, in particular, offered a sharp rebuke to Harris’s proposal.

“Shame on her,” Manchin told CNN Tuesday in response to Harris’ comments. “She knows the filibuster is the Holy Grail of democracy. It’s the only thing that keeps us talking and working together. If she gets rid of that, then this would be the House [of Representatives] on steroids … I think that basically can destroy our country and my country is more important to me than any one person or any one person’s ideology.”

Sinema also voiced concerns, warning of potential long-term consequences. “To state the supremely obvious, eliminating the filibuster to codify Roe v Wade also enables a future Congress to ban all abortion nationwide,” Sinema wrote on X. “What an absolutely terrible, shortsighted idea.”

Kamala Harris reiterated her support for ending the legislative filibuster to codify Roe v. Wade. Joe Manchin angrily said, ‘’She knows the filibuster is the holy grail of democracy.’ That is not what democracy entails. https://t.co/oSG3LY6Ktv

— New York Magazine (@NYMag) September 24, 2024

The Path Forward

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has indicated openness to filibuster reform for abortion access if Democrats maintain their majority. However, the administration faces a challenging electoral map in the Senate, with several key states in play for the upcoming election. Harris emphasized the importance of maintaining Democratic majorities in both the Senate and House to achieve this goal.

President Biden has previously expressed support for changing filibuster rules to protect abortion rights. This alignment between the President and Vice President on the issue signals a unified front in the administration’s approach to reproductive rights.

As the debate continues, the proposal has sparked discussions about the long-term implications of filibuster reform, including concerns about potential future reversals. The administration’s stance on this issue is likely to be a key component of their campaign message, focusing on reproductive freedom and women’s rights in the lead-up to the next election.