For Vice President Kamala Harris, securing reproductive freedom is a top agenda item for 2024.
The White House announced on Tuesday that Harris is gearing up to commence a nationwide tour with the goal of mobilizing individuals against the restrictions imposed on reproductive rights following the Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v. Wade in 2022.
“Extremists across our country continue to wage a full-on attack against hard-won, hard-fought freedoms as they push their radical policies – from banning abortion in all 50 states and criminalizing doctors, to forcing women to travel out of state in order to get the care they need,” Harris said in a statement.
She plans to host a series of events that will highlight personal stories of women who have been impacted by the Dobbs decision. She also plans to “hold extremists accountable for proposing a national abortion ban, call on Congress to restore the protections of Roe and outline steps the Administration is taking to protect access to health care,” her office added.
A recent Kaiser Family Foundation Health Tracking Poll reveals that three in 10 registered voters – and a third of women voters – consider abortion to be a key issue in the upcoming election. This finding includes nearly half of Democrats, almost a quarter of independents, and one in five Republicans.
President Joe Biden has made reproductive freedom a priority as he seeks a second term. As his running mate, Harris has hosted more than 50 assemblies across at least 16 states, bringing together state legislators, attorneys general, healthcare providers, faith leaders, students and other pro-choice advocates.
Her upcoming tour mirrors the cross-country college tour she took earlier this year, “Fight for Our Freedoms,” in which she rallied more than 15,000 students in eight states, engaging in conversations with young leaders and fielding questions on various issues, including reproductive freedom.
Harris’ “Fight for Reproductive Freedoms” tour is expected to kick off in Wisconsin – a swing state where abortion is currently legal – on Jan. 22, the 51st anniversary of Roe v. Wade. Additional dates and locations are expected to be announced soon.
“I will continue to fight for our fundamental freedoms while bringing together those throughout America who agree that every woman should have the right to make decisions about her own body – not the government,” Harris said.
