Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris has advocated for the elimination of the Senate filibuster to pass legislation that would nationalize abortion access, overturning the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade reversal. Speaking on Wisconsin Public Radio, Harris stated explicitly: “I think we should eliminate the filibuster for Roe.”
The proposed law aims to legalize abortion across the country, negating various state-level pro-life regulations. Eliminating the filibuster would lower the threshold for passing such legislation from 60 votes to 50 in the Senate. This change would require Harris’ running mate, Tim Walz, to serve as the tie-breaking vote if the Democrats maintain their current 51 Senate seats. As a Congressman and Governor of Minnesota, Walz has voted against legislation protecting babies who survive abortions, and signed legislation eliminating state-level reporting on such survivals.
Harris argues that removing the filibuster is necessary to restore “protections for reproductive freedom.” Independent Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia, who recently switched from the Democratic Party, warns that, without the filibuster, the Senate could become akin to the House but “on steroids.”
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has hinted at ending the filibuster to advance abortion legislation should the Democrats achieve a “trifecta” by winning the presidency and both houses of Congress in the upcoming election.
