Kamala Harris Visits Abortion Clinic, in Historic First discusses the Biden administration’s recent initiatives to protect and advocate for abortion rights. Vice President Kamala Harris has become the “most outspoken defender of abortion rights in the administration” and is on a nationwide tour to advocate for abortion rights. VP Harris has visited five states on her tour, and most recently visited an abortion clinic in St. Paul Minnesota; similarly to other legs of her tour, VP Harris highlighted abortion as a “health care crisis for women” and explained the Biden administration’s efforts to preserve abortion access. Ms. Harris’ choice to stop at an abortion clinic was a historical first, and her assertive advocating techniques indicate that the Biden administration plans to act ambitiously to guarantee the right to abortion. As a key component of the administration’s reelection strategy, President Biden is making promises to restore and preserve abortion rights, but constitutional limits to executive power are inhibiting his initiatives.

This article educates citizens about abortion as a political priority and engages citizens with the executive branch and 2024 presidential election. President Biden’s difficulty in progressing abortion rights is easily attributed to incompetency, but by explaining the struggles through an examination of separation of powers and party dynamics in the context of Roe v. Wade, this article offers citizens digestible political facts that may offer a new point of view. Specifically stating that the democratic Governor of Minnesota enshrined abortion rights into state laws will likely deepen public thought about the significance of abortion rights and highlight that an undeniable right to abortion is possible. The article indicates how abortion has increased political polarization and essentially tells readers that if they are hoping for abortion rights, they must vote Democrat. Openly talking about abortion destigmatizes the procedure and promotes an understanding that abortion is a personal choice. Readers of this article will learn about the Biden administration’s stance and actions regarding abortion and how his efforts are inhibited by Congress and the Supreme Court, thereby encouraging citizens to think critically and share their perspective on abortion, and ultimately promoting a civically engaged population that is prepared for the upcoming election.             Separation of powers is inhibiting the Biden administration’s abortion efforts. President Biden “promised to restore federal abortion rights and preserve access to medication abortion,” however, this is impossible without cooperation from other branches of government. Directly after this statement, the author states that the Supreme Court has an abortion related case this month, indicating how the powers of the judicial branch may further halt Biden’s promise. President Biden hopes for congressional legislation: the constitutionally correct way to promote permanent change. However, Congress has the sole power to produce legislation, so the Biden administration’s goal will likely be inhibited by the small democrat majority in the Senate and within-party disagreements.

On a similar note, this article highlights the powerful role of abortion in shifting party politics and increasing political polarization. Changes in party priorities are emphasized by mentioning the democratic party’s historical and modern responses to abortion: historically, democrats shied away from abortion, but now, democrats often refer to abortion passionately, calling it a personal freedom and the right to make private health care decisions. The article further indicates that there is a relationship between abortion stance and political party by mentioning campaign advertisements that point out former Republican President Trump’s role in overturning Roe—also highlighting that abortion rights are a focal reelection approach for Democrats. As a result of overturning Roe, many recent federal and state elections have been won by Democrats, supporting the idea that the fight for abortion rights are contributing to political polarization. Since the article implies that abortion is a Democrat priority and that 1/5 people say that abortion is their ‘most important issue’ in the 2024 presidential election, the continued political discussion about abortion will likely continue to fuel political polarization.

Vice President Harris’ abortion tour has highlighted abortion rights as a key initiative of the Biden 2024 presidential campaign. To me, Harris’ tour symbolizes the Biden administration’s aim to be ambitious and assertive when addressing abortion rights. The right to abortion is the right to bodily autonomy, the right to make a choice, and I am comforted by the fact that our Administration is advocating for this right. An individual’s abortion stance is a product of personal experiences and countless societal factors, making the subject of abortion inevitably sensitive and easily misconstrued. The emotion involved in considering abortion rights can turn advocacy and open discussion into inconsiderate behavior that disregards other people’s perspectives and experiences. Discussion about abortion prompts passionate disagreements, potentially resulting in feelings of invalidation, despair, or confusion for at least one party. However, to surpass the negative effects of abortion discussion, ironically, discussion about abortion needs to increase. Increased discussion about abortion will familiarize people with various experiences and new perspectives; as a result, people will indirectly learn approaches for effectively discussing abortion and sympathizing with people. Talking about abortion is hard for many people, but open discussion will encourage people to reflect on their point of view, potentially leading them to consider if they are voting to inhibit a person’s right to choose based on a personal preference.