Harris Advocates Filibuster Change for Abortion Rights Legislation

Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee for the upcoming November 2024 presidential election, has expressed support for modifying Senate procedures to facilitate the passage of national abortion protection legislation. This statement comes in response to the changing landscape of reproductive rights in the United States over the past two years.

In June 2022, the Supreme Court overturned the landmark Roe v. Wade decision, which had previously guaranteed federal protection for abortion rights. Since then, approximately 13 states have implemented laws that significantly restrict or completely prohibit access to abortion services. This shift in policy has elevated the issue of reproductive rights to a central position in the 2024 election discourse.

Harris aims to see Congress enact a federal law that would codify access to safe abortion services nationwide. However, current Senate rules present a significant obstacle to achieving this goal. Under existing procedures, most legislation requires the support of 60 senators to overcome a filibuster and proceed to a vote.

In an interview with Wisconsin Public Radio on September 24, 2024, Harris stated:

"We should eliminate the filibuster for Roe... 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."

This proposal to modify the filibuster rules specifically for abortion-related legislation represents a significant shift in the ongoing debate over Senate procedures. The filibuster, a parliamentary tactic with roots dating back to 1837, has been a subject of controversy and reform in recent years.

In 2013, Democrats removed the filibuster requirement for most executive branch nominations and federal judicial appointments. Republicans further extended this change in 2017 to include Supreme Court nominees. These modifications have set precedents for altering long-standing Senate rules.

However, the prospect of completely eliminating the 60-vote threshold faces opposition from centrist senators. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema, who transitioned from Democrat to independent in 2022, have expressed reservations about such sweeping changes. It's worth noting that neither Manchin nor Sinema will be returning to the Senate in 2025, potentially altering the dynamics of this debate in the next congressional term.

The issue of abortion rights continues to be a polarizing topic in American politics. Public opinion polls consistently show that a majority of Americans support legal abortion in all or most cases. However, the lack of explicit mention of abortion rights in the U.S. Constitution has led to ongoing legal and political debates.

As the 2024 election approaches, the discussion around reproductive rights and Senate procedures is likely to intensify. The outcome of this election could have significant implications for the future of abortion access in the United States and the legislative process in the Senate.