MADISON, Wis. – Vice President Kamala Harris expressed her support for abolishing the filibuster to reinstate federal protections for abortion rights akin to those established in Roe v. Wade. Harris made these remarks during an interview with Wisconsin Public Radio, where she emphasized the need for the Senate to eliminate the filibuster in order to safeguard reproductive freedom and the right of individuals to make decisions about their own bodies.
Harris’ stance on the filibuster is part of her effort to draw a clear distinction between her policies and those of former President Donald Trump, particularly on the issue of abortion. The Vice President asserted that the filibuster should be discarded to ensure that a simple majority vote of 51 is sufficient to pass legislation protecting reproductive rights.
Highlighting the significance of her message in Wisconsin, a crucial battleground state where access to legal abortions had sharply declined following the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, Harris attributed the downfall of Roe to Trump’s administration. She underscored the impact of the Supreme Court’s ruling on Georgia women, whose deaths were deemed preventable due to the implementation of restrictive abortion laws.
In response, Trump has countered Harris’s position, claiming that women’s well-being would be enhanced under his leadership with a focus on state-level decision-making on abortion issues. Harris has also addressed other pressing matters concerning Wisconsin voters during her interview, including affordable housing and the regulation of toxic chemicals contaminating drinking water in the state.
Regarding housing, Harris reiterated her commitment to providing down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers and outlined plans to collaborate with the private sector to construct three million new homes by the end of her first term. Additionally, she discussed efforts to address PFAs contamination in Wisconsin’s water supply, highlighting the Biden administration’s allocation of funds for water infrastructure projects aimed at ensuring clean drinking water and replacing lead pipes.
Overall, Vice President Harris’s interview with Wisconsin Public Radio shed light on her policy priorities and commitments, offering insights into her approach to critical issues affecting the state and the nation.