In a first, Vice President Harris visits Minnesota abortion clinic to blast ‘immoral’ restrictions

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Vice President Kamala Harris visited a Planned Parenthood clinic on Thursday, marking what her office said was the first time a president or vice president has toured a facility that performs abortions, as the White House escalates its defense of reproductive rights in this year’s election. “We have to be a nation that trusts women.” Harris said she met two dozen health care workers at the clinic who had created an environment where patients can “be safe” and “free from judgement.” Dr. Sarah Traxler, chief medical officer of Planned Parenthood North Central States, introduced herself as “a proud abortion provider” and called Harris’ visit a “historic moment.” She said the number of patients visiting the clinic from out of state has doubled. Protesters gathered across the street, holding signs that said “life is a human right” and “abortion kills a human being.” Cathy Blaeser, the co-executive director of the anti-abortion group Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life, said, “The vice president’s visit shows the Biden administration’s full-blown devotion to extreme abortion policies.” She added that “Minnesotans don’t want to be known for abortion tourism.” The White House has few options to protect access to abortion after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade two years ago, clearing the way for Republican-led states to enact limitations or bans on the procedure. While Biden has vowed to restore Roe v. Wade’s protections if Democrats regain full control of Congress, he tends to talk about the “right to choose” instead of saying “abortion.” During her visit, Harris spoke plainly about women’s health needs and the clinic’s role in providing birth control and preventative care. And in his State of the Union address last week, Biden vowed that “we’ll win again in 2024.” He also said that if voters “send me a Congress that supports the right to choose, I promise you I will restore Roe v. Wade as the law of the land again.” Before the flight back to Washington on Thursday, Harris surprised Central High School’s girl’s varsity and junior varsity softball teams at practice.