Vice President Kamala Harris broke new ground earlier this year during a visit to a Minnesota Planned Parenthood — marking the first occasion a sitting U.S. vice president has stepped foot in an abortion provider’s facility.
“I’m here at this health care clinic to highlight the incredible work being done in Minnesota as a demonstration of true leadership,” Harris remarked during her March visit to the Planned Parenthood clinic.
“The reason I’m here is because we are facing a health care crisis,” she elaborated. “Part of this crisis stems from clinics like this being forced to close, thereby leaving countless women in any nearby geographic area without access to critical care.”
Harris, making history at the clinic, was accompanied by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, her potential 2024 running mate. Also present were Ruth Richardson, the chief medical officer of Planned Parenthood North Central States, the regional president and CEO, along with Rep. Betty McCollum.
KAMALA HARRIS TORN APART BY PRO-LIFERS FOR HISTORIC TRIP TO ABORTION CLINIC: ‘NORMALIZATION OF EVIL’
ST. PAUL, MN. – MARCH 2024: Vice President Kamala Harris addresses the media after touring Planned Parenthood. Supporting her are Gov. Tim Walz and Planned Parenthood North Central States Chief Medical Officer Sarah Traxler, MD. Thursday, March 14, 2024, in St. Paul, Minn. (Photo by Glen Stubbe/Star Tribune via Getty Images) (Getty Images)
Harris went on to express that Americans don’t need to “abandon their faith” in order to support abortion rights.
“One doesn’t have to abandon their faith or deeply held convictions to agree that the government should not dictate decisions about women’s bodies,” Harris stated after her clinic tour.
“If she chooses, she may seek counsel from her priest, pastor, rabbi, or imam. But should the government have the authority to decide what she can or cannot do with her own body?”
Criticism from conservatives and pro-life advocates targeted Harris for her visit, branding it as the “normalization of evil.”
“This marks a ‘historic first’ in the worst conceivable way. VP Kamala Harris is receiving a private tour of a Planned Parenthood in Minnesota today. I’d wager they’ll show her everything except an actual abortion,” remarked Kristan Hawkins, president of Students for Life of America, on X at the time.
Hawkins added: “PRO-LIFE GENERATION: If you’re in or near Minneapolis, join us TODAY to assert that we will NOT tolerate this evil or the promotion and normalization of it. Anticipated location of Kamala Harris: Planned Parenthood on Vandalia St.”
After the clinic visit, Walz told reporters that “old white men” should engage in more discussions about abortion and reproductive health.
“Old white men need to learn how to discuss this topic better,” Walz expressed to CNN. “We need to prioritize listening to women. Clearly, when we listen, they are voicing their opinions loudly, especially at the polling stations.”
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On Tuesday morning, Harris announced her selection of Walz as her running mate ahead of the presidential campaign, shortly after President Biden exited the race and endorsed her for the nomination. Biden stepped down due to rising concerns regarding his age and cognitive abilities but intends to complete his term in the Oval Office.
US Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during her visit to a Planned Parenthood clinic in Saint Paul, Minnesota, on March 14, 2024. Harris toured an abortion clinic, highlighting it as a key election issue in what US media reported as the first such visit by a sitting president or vice president. (Photo by Stephen Maturen / AFP) (Photo by Stephen Maturen/AFP via Getty Images) (Stephen Maturen/AFP via Getty Images)
“I am proud to announce that I’ve selected @Tim_Walz to be my running mate. As a governor, a coach, a teacher, and a veteran, he has consistently supported working families like his own. We’re excited to have him on the team. Now let’s get to work,” Harris declared on X this Tuesday.
Planned Parenthood praised Harris for her choice in a press release, proclaiming that the Walz-Harris ticket represents “the most pro-reproductive freedom duo in history.”
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Democratic presidential candidate, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, and Democratic vice presidential candidate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz appear on stage together during a campaign event at Girard College on August 6, 2024, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Harris concluded weeks of speculation regarding her running mate by selecting the 60-year-old Midwestern governor over other candidates. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
“Gov. Walz has long been a staunch advocate for sexual and reproductive healthcare and has championed abortion rights during his governorship, working to safeguard these rights in Minnesota,” said Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Action Fund.
The press release emphasized that Walz “made history with Vice President Harris” during their recent visit to Minnesota.
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“As Vice President, Harris visited a Planned Parenthood health center, making her the first vice president in history to do so — and Gov. Walz attended her on this momentous occasion,” the release stated.
