In a recent interview on "Face the Nation," Vice President Kamala Harris expressed her frustration with Republican allegations that Democrats endorse abortion until birth.
However, she refrained from defining a specific point at which the procedure should be restricted.
Harris dismissed the Republican claims as "ridiculous" and a "mischaracterization." She emphasized the need to codify the protections of Roe v. Wade into law, particularly in the wake of the Dobbs decision. "I am being precise. We need to put into law the protections of Roe v. Wade. And that is about going back to where we were before the Dobbs decision," Harris stated.
Interviewer Margaret Brennan persistently questioned Harris about the implications of such a move, particularly regarding the potential limit on pregnancy termination. Brennan pointed out that the original Roe v. Wade ruling permitted restrictions beyond 20 to 24 weeks. Harris, however, reiterated her stance, stating, "No, no, no, no, no. We need to put back the protections that are in Roe v. Wade into law."
Harris stressed that the Democrats' goal is not to introduce something new but to restore the protections of Roe v. Wade. She also claimed that "the vast majority" of Americans support this position.
Republicans have criticized Democrats for their ambiguity on the abortion issue, particularly at a time when public support for increased restrictions is low. Last month, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis expressed his frustration when an NBC reporter dismissed his claim that Democrats want to legalize abortion "until the moment of birth in some instances."
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 1.3% of abortions nationwide occur after 21 weeks of gestation. Fetal viability is generally believed to occur around six months into pregnancy, with the record for the earliest surviving premature baby being approximately 21 weeks.
The DeSantis campaign has highlighted prominent Democrats, such as Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, who have refrained from specifying a cutoff point for abortion. In the aftermath of the Roe v. Wade overturn, Democrats have championed laws that seem to eliminate abortion limits. For instance, Maine Governor Janet Mills signed a bill last summer allowing abortion at any stage of pregnancy if a doctor deems it medically necessary.
Many Democrats have responded to Republican criticism by arguing that late-term abortions are sometimes medically necessary and should therefore be exempt from certain restrictions.
Harris emphasized that she and President Biden are relying on voters to ensure a woman's right to an abortion nationwide. This is due to the 60-vote threshold in the Senate required to overcome a filibuster and the GOP's control of the House. Harris expressed confidence that she and Biden will be victorious in the 2024 elections.
"We will win, we will win reelection. There is too much at stake and the American people know it," Harris declared, dismissing a question about whether they are underestimating former President Donald Trump.
Harris also addressed attacks suggesting that a vote for Biden, who is currently 80 years old, would result in her taking over. "There's nothing new about that," she said. When asked if she was prepared to take over, she responded, "Yes I am, if necessary. But Joe Biden is going to be fine."
Biden, the oldest serving president in US history, would be 86 at the end of a potential second term. Current national polling shows Biden and Trump in a close race, despite overestimating Republican support in the 2022 midterm elections. According to the most recent RealClearPolitics aggregate, Biden holds a slim 0.4 percentage point lead over Trump.
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