Washington -- Kamala Harris, Vice President of the United States, stressed the importance for voters to cast their ballots in November's midterm elections for a pro-choice Congress that will enshrine abortion rights into law following the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.
Harris spoke out in an interview on Sunday with Face the Nation. Harris stated that the Supreme Court's ruling last month allowed states to pass new laws restricting, or outright banning, abortion.
"So, what does this all mean?" She said. It means that elections will be held in 120 days. They'll be about who serves in Congress, and we need a prochoice Congress.
Harris stated that supporters of abortion rights need to vote not only for federal candidates but also for those running in the down-ballot races.
The vice president stated that while you don't have the obligation to support or believe that the plan is right for your family, it's important not to let the government decide for her family. It includes state offices, governors and secretaries of state, as well as attorneys general. It also refers to local races. Who's going be your DA? Who's going be your sheriff? Enforcing laws being passed to criminalize health care providers and possibly even women who request the service.
The Supreme Court's decision to strike down the constitutional right of abortion caused shockwaves across the country. It was banned in many Republican-led states that had trigger laws in place, or it was restricted in other states that had imposed restrictions in anticipation.
Friday's unilateral action by President Biden aimed to reduce the potential penalties that women seeking abortion may face. However, the administration has limited options to ensure access to abortion nationwide.
Progressive lawmakers and activists have criticized Mr. Biden for not being more aggressive in their position on abortion. However, the court's decision has raised questions about why Democrats didn't enshrine this right into federal law while they controlled both the White House (and both the chambers of Congress) under former President Barack Obama.
Harris stated that she and her fellow Democrats believed that the issue was settled. This is why Harris's statement has shaken the nation.
"We are certain that certain issues have been resolved. She said that certain issues were just resolved. "And that's the reason I believe we are living in really unsettled times," she said.
Vice President said that the Supreme Court's decision to reverse a constitutional right had sparked outrage among Americans.
For a second, take a step back and reflect on that. She said that the highest court in our country just recognized a constitutional right for women to make their own decisions about their bodies. "And so we now have a situation in which the government can tell anyone in the country what they can or cannot do with their body." It doesn't mean that you have to say that your loved one should have an abortion.
The 5-4 decision to reverse Roe has raised criticism of Justices Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh. They were appointed by President Donald Trump to the Supreme Court. Senators were reassured during confirmation hearings that they understood the importance respecting long-standing precedents.
Harris, who was a senator and on the Judiciary Committee said that she didn't believe the two justices were lying when she asked her whether she thought they should be impeached.
"I begin from the experience of having served as a senator. She said that she had never believed them. "I didn’t believe them." "So I voted against."
