Kamala Harris’s Surprising New Stance on Filibuster and Women’s Rights

A woman speaking with an American flag in background.

Vice President Kamala Harris has made a significant political shift, advocating for the end of the Senate filibuster to codify Roe v. Wade into law, marking a departure from her previous stance and igniting debate among lawmakers.

At a Glance

Harris now supports eliminating the Senate filibuster to codify Roe v. Wade
This marks a reversal from her 2017 position defending the filibuster
The move aims to distinguish Democrats from Republicans on abortion rights
Harris’s stance has drawn criticism from both sides of the political aisle
The proposal faces opposition from key Democratic senators

Harris’s Evolving Stance on the Filibuster

Vice President Kamala Harris has taken a bold step in the ongoing debate over abortion rights and Senate procedures. In a recent interview with Wisconsin Public Radio, Harris explicitly stated her support for eliminating the Senate filibuster to codify Roe v. Wade into law. This marks a significant departure from her previous position and aligns her more closely with progressive elements within the Democratic Party.

Harris’s statement represents a clear shift from her stance in 2017 when she, along with other Democratic senators, signed a letter emphasizing the importance of preserving extended debate in the Senate. This change in position highlights the evolving priorities within the Democratic Party and the increasing focus on abortion rights following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn 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

Political Implications and Opposition

The Vice President’s new stance on the filibuster is not without its critics. Senator Joe Manchin, a key moderate Democrat, expressed strong disapproval of Harris’s position. Manchin, who has consistently defended the filibuster, argued that it is essential for maintaining bipartisan dialogue and cooperation in the Senate.

“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 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.” – Source

Similarly, Senator Kyrsten Sinema warned about the potential long-term consequences of such a move. Sinema pointed out that eliminating the filibuster could allow a future Congress with a different majority to ban abortion nationwide, highlighting the complex nature of this issue.

The Broader Context of Abortion Rights

Harris’s call to end the filibuster for Roe v. Wade is part of a larger Democratic strategy to distinguish their party from Republicans on the issue of abortion rights. With the 2024 election looming, Democrats are making reproductive rights a central campaign issue, hoping to capitalize on public support for abortion access.

“I think we should eliminate the filibuster for Roe,” Harris told the radio station in an interview that aired Tuesday. – Source

This strategic move comes as former President Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee, faces scrutiny over his stance on abortion. While Trump claims he would leave the issue to individual states, Harris and other Democrats argue that he might support a nationwide ban if re-elected.

The Path Forward

The debate over the filibuster and abortion rights is likely to intensify as the 2024 election approaches. While Harris’s position aligns with many in her party, including President Biden, who has also supported changing filibuster rules to protect abortion rights, the path to actualizing this change remains uncertain. With key Democratic senators like Manchin and Sinema opposing filibuster reform, and a challenging electoral map for Democrats in the Senate, the future of this proposal hangs in the balance.

As the political landscape continues to evolve, the intersection of Senate procedures and fundamental rights will remain a critical point of discussion and debate in American politics. The outcome of this debate could have far-reaching implications for the legislative process and the protection of reproductive rights in the United States.