Vice President Kamala Harris has called for the elimination of the Senate filibuster in an effort to codify Roe v. Wade into federal law.

Such a move would allow for the passage of legislation ensuring nationwide abortion rights, sidestepping the current requirement of 60 Senate votes to overcome a filibuster, and Harris' stance highlights the ongoing partisan divide over abortion rights, with both support and opposition emerging from within the political landscape, as National Review reports.

In an interview with Wisconsin Public Radio that aired Tuesday, Harris expressed her commitment to securing abortion rights across the country. She emphasized her willingness to eliminate the Senate filibuster, which requires a 60-vote supermajority to pass most legislation. Harris argued that without the filibuster, a simple majority of 51 votes could be sufficient to enshrine protections for reproductive freedom into federal law.

Harris Targets Filibuster to Pass Abortion Law

The filibuster, a procedural rule in the Senate, has long been a contentious issue in legislative battles. By supporting its removal, Harris aligns herself with those advocating for a more straightforward path to passing laws, particularly in relation to abortion rights.

Harris’s call for action comes in response to the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which overturned the landmark 1973 ruling of Roe v. Wade. This decision handed individual states the authority to regulate abortion, leading to a wave of restrictive abortion laws across the country.

During her interview, Harris explained that securing reproductive rights is one of her key campaign goals as she seeks to draw a sharp contrast with her Republican rivals. Former President Donald Trump, a potential 2024 candidate, has denied supporting a national abortion ban, though Harris claims otherwise.

Partisan Responses to Harris’s Proposal

Harris’s stance has received both support and criticism from across the political spectrum. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has indicated that he would be open to considering a filibuster exception for abortion rights and voting legislation, a position echoed by Senator Bernie Sanders.

However, not all Democrats are on board. Sen. Joe Manchin, who left the Democratic Party to become an independent earlier this year, has been a vocal critic of filibuster reform. He condemned Harris’s proposal, describing the filibuster as the "Holy Grail of democracy" and warning that eliminating it would weaken bipartisan cooperation in Congress.

Kyrsten Sinema, who also left the Democratic Party in late 2022, expressed similar concerns. Sinema argued that eliminating the filibuster could backfire by enabling a future Congress to impose a nationwide abortion ban, calling Harris’s proposal "shortsighted."

Debate Among Senate Democrats Over Filibuster

The debate over the filibuster has divided Democrats, particularly as they face the uncertainty of holding a majority after the November elections. While Democrats currently have a 51-vote majority, including four independents who caucus with them, several key senators have expressed reservations about fully eliminating the rule.

Sen. Jon Tester, for example, has advocated for a “talking filibuster” rather than its outright removal. Tester’s position reflects a more moderate approach, aiming to preserve elements of the rule while allowing for greater legislative flexibility.

At the heart of the debate is the balance between protecting abortion rights and preserving Senate traditions. Harris’s comments mark her first official position as a Democratic presidential nominee in favor of eliminating the filibuster to pass abortion legislation.

Abortion at the Center of 2024 Elections

Harris has made abortion rights a central issue of her 2024 campaign, positioning herself as a staunch defender of reproductive freedom. On her campaign website, she has pledged to restore nationwide access to abortion and prevent the imposition of a federal abortion ban if she is elected in November.

The VP also took aim at Georgia’s six-week abortion ban, which she referred to as a "Trump abortion ban." She connected the restrictive law to what she described as Trump’s influence over Republican abortion policies, despite Trump’s public statements denying his support for a national ban.

Harris’s position on abortion stands in contrast to Trump’s, who has walked a fine line in addressing the issue during his own campaign. While he has voiced support for leaving abortion laws to individual states, Harris continues to assert that he would back a national ban if re-elected.

The Path Forward for Harris’s Proposal

The viability of Harris’s proposal hinges on the outcome of the November elections. Should Democrats retain their Senate majority, the possibility of eliminating the filibuster to pass abortion legislation becomes more plausible. However, with several key senators opposed to its full removal, the path forward remains uncertain.

Harris’s push for filibuster reform has added fuel to an already contentious debate. For now, the vice president’s remarks serve as a rallying point for those who see abortion rights as a key issue in the 2024 election cycle.

Conclusion

Vice President Kamala Harris’s call to eliminate the filibuster to codify Roe v. Wade has sparked a wide-ranging debate within both the Democratic Party and the broader political landscape.

Her push to secure abortion rights nationwide has drawn support from key figures like Chuck Schumer and Bernie Sanders, but has faced opposition from moderates like Joe Manchin, Kyrsten Sinema, and Jon Tester.

As Harris continues to campaign on the issue, the future of her proposal -- and the filibuster itself -- will likely depend on the outcome of the 2024 elections and the balance of power in the Senate.