Vice President Kamala Harris Rejects Claims of Democrats Advocating for Abortion Until Birth

Vice President Kamala Harris dismissed allegations from some Republican officials that Democrats support permitting abortion procedures up until the moment of birth, labeling the claim as “ridiculous.”

During an appearance on CBS’ “Face the Nation,” Vice President Harris emphasized the importance of enshrining the rights established in Roe v. Wade, the pivotal 1973 Supreme Court decision that extended abortion protections nationwide. Prior to the Supreme Court’s reversal of this ruling, nearly all states allowed abortions until the point of fetal viability, typically around 24 weeks into pregnancy.

In response to a question from CBS’ Margaret Brennan regarding the specific week of pregnancy that a potential abortion law should safeguard, Vice President Harris consistently reiterated the need to reinstate the protections of Roe v. Wade. She emphasized that the Biden administration’s aim is not to introduce anything beyond what existed before June of the previous year.

Brennan clarified that her inquiry about a particular week arose from Republican assertions that the absence of a precise cut-off date allows Democrats to endorse abortions right up until birth. Vice President Harris dismissed this argument as a “mischaracterization of the point,” describing it as “ridiculous.”

It is worth noting that abortions performed during the third trimester of pregnancy are already infrequent and generally linked to severe fetal abnormalities. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2019, approximately 93% of abortions took place at or before 13 weeks of gestation. Only about 1% of abortions occurred at 21 weeks or beyond. Furthermore, late-term abortions often involve medication to induce early birth, a distinct procedure from surgical abortions.

Vice President Harris’s remarks reflect the ongoing debate over abortion rights and access in the United States, with differing interpretations of what such rights entail and how they should be protected.