Kamala Harris' pledge to help eliminate the Senate filibuster to codify Roe v. Wade is “a necessary step” to legalize abortion nationwide, according to a prominent pro-life leader. It shows that they are ready to do whatever it takes. The Democratic presidential candidate said this week that he supports repealing the Senate rule that requires a three-fifths majority (60 votes) to advance legislation in the 100-member House. The filibuster dates back to the early 1800s, and supporters say it encourages bipartisan cooperation by forcing compromises and preventing hasty legislative decisions.
Republican candidate Donald Trump referenced the filibuster during a debate with Harris in September when he argued that “she'll never get the votes” to codify Roe in Congress. Trump's claims are likely to be true if 60 votes are needed in the Senate. But without a filibuster, Harris would only need a simple majority of 51 votes.
“I think we should abolish the filibuster on Roe,” Harris told Wisconsin Public Radio. “And get us to the point where we need 51 votes to actually put reproductive freedom protections back into law.”
Her position means the future of abortion legislation may depend on Democrats achieving the trifecta of winning the White House, taking back the House and holding the Senate.
Albert Mohler, a prominent pro-life leader and president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, said Harris' position represents a key moment in the campaign.
“This means she's willing to do basically whatever it takes to get what she wants on this bill,” Mohler said on the podcast. briefing.
Mohler said the Senate was intended by the framers of the U.S. Constitution to be different from the House of Representatives. He said six-year terms for senators are more insulated from public opinion compared to two-year terms for members of the House of Representatives, giving senators more freedom to focus on long-term policy decisions.
“The Senate was meant to be a counterbalance to the House of Commons, and at least in early language, the Senate was discussed as a cooling dish for the House, in the same way that you pour your coffee or tea to cool it down a bit.” . [The Senate is] Where you think cool heads will prevail. That is where there should be a slower legislative movement. ”
Mohler said Harris' proposal would fundamentally change D.C.
“The logic used in this argument, presented by Kamala Harris, can be applied to any legislative priority. 'Once you say that about abortion, you'll say it about something else, and that's exactly what a lot of people want,'' Mohler said.
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Anna Moneymaker/Staff
michael faust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His articles have appeared in the Baptist Press, Christianity Today, Christian Post, Leaf Chronicle, Toronto Star, and Knoxville News Sentinel.
