“Ms. Harris Fights to Enshrine Roe v. Wade Protections in Federal Law: What You Need to Know”
In response to the recent overturning of Roe v. Wade by the Supreme Court, Vice President Kamala Harris has expressed her commitment to enshrine the protections of the landmark decision in federal law. Harris, who is running for president, stated in a tweet in July that if elected, she would sign a law restoring and protecting reproductive freedom in every state. This move would require not only Democratic majorities in Congress but also the elimination of the filibuster, which currently requires 60 votes to pass most legislation.
Harris has been a long-time advocate for reproductive rights, having sponsored the Women’s Health Protection Act as a senator. This bill aimed to go beyond the protections of Roe v. Wade by prohibiting certain state-level restrictions on abortion, such as requirements for specific tests or hospital admitting privileges for doctors providing abortions. She has reiterated her support for this bill in 2022.
During her presidential campaign in 2019, Harris proposed that states with a history of restricting abortion rights should be subject to federal approval for new abortion laws, a concept known as “pre-clearance.” While it is unclear if she would still support this proposal if Roe v. Wade were codified by Congress, Harris has indicated support for administrative actions taken by the Biden administration to limit the effects of state abortion bans.
One such action was taken by the Department of Health and Human Services, which informed hospitals in 2022 that the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act requires doctors to perform an abortion if they believe it is necessary to stabilize a patient. Additionally, the department announced a rule in April to protect the medical records of abortion patients from investigators and prosecutors.
Overall, Harris’s commitment to protecting reproductive rights and enshrining the protections of Roe v. Wade in federal law reflects her longstanding advocacy for women’s health and autonomy. As the debate over abortion rights continues to evolve, Harris’s stance on the issue is likely to play a significant role in shaping the future of reproductive healthcare in the United States.