Vice President Harris attends virtual meeting with abortion providers

Vice President Harris on Thursday spoke at a virtual meeting with abortion providers, telling them they “are on the front line against this war on women’s rights.”

Harris’ remarks came less than an hour after Oklahoma legislators approved a bill that would effectively outlaw all abortions except to save the life of a pregnant woman or if the pregnancy is the result of rape.

Those who attended the virtual meeting included doctors, nurses and abortion advocates who are working to dismantle restrictive abortion laws in states such as Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas.

Confirmed participants of the virtual meeting included Dr. Rebecca Taub, an OB/GYN practicing in California, Oklahoma, and Kansas; Dr. Bhavik Kumar, an OB/GYN with Planned Parenthood practicing in Texas; Dr. Colleen McNicholas, chief medical officer for Planned Parenthood of St. Louis, Missouri; and Helen Weems, a registered nurse and founding director of All Families Healthcare in Montana.

The event was prompted by news earlier this month that the Supreme Court had drafted an opinion that would overturn Roe v. Wade, a ruling that granted women the right to an abortion.

“We cannot deny that this decision will have real and immediate effects on women around our country,” Harris said. “So, I am here today, joined by doctors, nurses and leading advocates, who are on the front lines against this war on women’s rights.”

Harris called the Oklahoma law “outrageous, and it’s just the latest in a series of extreme laws around the country. Several of the medical professionals joining us today are seeing the impact of these laws that are designed to punish and control women.” In December of 2021, Harris predicted that “women will die” if Roe is overturned.

A vote last week on the Women’s Health Protection Act failed as Republican senators and Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin (WV) voted to block consideration of the bill, which would have would have protected various abortion procedures across the nation.

In response, Harris and President Biden have urged Americans to elect more pro-abortion lawmakers. The vice president on Thursday claimed that other rights could be at risk if the Supreme Court overthrows Roe, such as the right to use contraception and the right to marry regardless of race or sexual orientation.

“Overturning Roe opens the door to restricting those rights,” she said. “It would be a direct assault on the fundamental right of self-determination— to live and love without interference from the government.”