Harris Backs Filibuster Elimination to Revive Abortion Rights

During a recent radio interview, Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris announced her support for reforming Senate procedures to codify abortion rights. She advocates for abolishing the 60-vote threshold, commonly known as the filibuster, to facilitate the passage of abortion rights legislation. However, achieving this goal would require unanimity among Democrats and retaining majority control in the Senate, a challenging prospect as Republicans aim to regain influence in the upcoming November elections.

“I think we should eliminate the filibuster for Roe, allowing us to secure the necessary 51 votes to restore protections for reproductive freedom,” Harris stated during her interview with Wisconsin Public Radio. In previous remarks, she indicated a willingness to cast a tie-breaking vote in favor of abortion rights and has consistently pledged to sign legislation reinstating the constitutional protections established by Roe v. Wade, which were overturned by the Supreme Court in 2022.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer acknowledged in August that discussions on altering Senate rules to safeguard abortion rights are underway, as reported by NBC. This push coincides with Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania, where he positioned himself as a “protector” of women. Trump asserted that the issue of abortion has been relegated to the states, diminishing its relevance in national discourse.

“All they want to do is talk about abortion,” Trump remarked about Democrats. He has also urged Republican senators to dismantle the filibuster, although key party figures like Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell have expressed intent to maintain the status quo.

Current projections suggest that Republicans are on track to regain control of the Senate by securing critical seats in West Virginia and retaining positions in Florida, Texas, and Nebraska. Conversely, Democrats must win pivotal races in states including Arizona, Michigan, and Pennsylvania to maintain their majority.

If Harris prevails and Democrats achieve a balance of 50 Senate seats, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, the vice presidential nominee, could cast the decisive vote for party initiatives. During a recent Senate press conference, Democratic Senator Patty Murray echoed Harris’ perspective, suggesting a targeted carve-out of the filibuster rather than a complete elimination.

In another development, the Harris campaign hosted a press call with business mogul Mark Cuban, emphasizing her economic policies. Polls indicate that voters view Trump as more favorable in terms of economic management, with Pew Research revealing that 55% of respondents approve of Trump’s economic strategies compared to 45% for Harris.

Candidates from both parties are ramping up their campaigns in battleground states this week. Trump plans to speak in Savannah, Georgia, while Walz will return to Minnesota for a campaign reception. Harris will head to Pennsylvania for a rally before traveling to Arizona and Nevada. Trump’s schedule also includes a visit to North Carolina, whereas his running mate, Senator J.D. Vance from Ohio, is set to campaign in Michigan and Georgia.

Jennifer Shutt contributed to this report.