House Speaker Nancy Pelosi argued that abortion rights should be viewed as a democracy issue and that if Democrats win majorities in Congress and the White House, they could legalize abortion nationwide by overturning the Senate filibuster rule.
Pelosi stated that even if Republicans say they won’t pursue a national abortion ban, one is likely to happen without Democratic victories.
Pelosi said, “People have to view abortion as a democracy issue. This is about freedom to make your own decisions for a woman. It’s a personal decision, it’s an economic decision at the kitchen table of America’s families, if and when they could expand their families or even start their families.”
NBC’s Katy Tur asked, “Do you think it’s going to be a more powerful issue at the ballot box this time around?”
Pelosi said Democrats need to “win it all” to protect abortion rights through President Biden’s vision.
Pelosi said, “Well, it is because the fact is that no matter what he says, there will be a national abortion ban, and that would be horrible for our country.”
She added, “We have to win it all. We have to win the White House, with our great president of the United States, Joe Biden, who has a vision for America that is in keeping with the vision of our founders, the sacrifice of our men and women in uniform, the aspirations of our children and their families.”
Tur asked, “If President Biden gets reelected and there’s a Democratic House and a Democratic Senate, what can President Biden do to protect abortion nationwide?”
If Biden is reelected and Democrats control Congress, Pelosi said they could enshrine Roe v. Wade into law by overturning the 60-vote requirement in the Senate via a simple majority and passing abortion protections with 51 votes.
Pelosi said, “We can enshrine into the law Roe v. Wade.”
Tur said, “That would take two-thirds in the Senate,” adding, “No it doesn’t. It’s 60 votes is the Senate now but if we win 50-plus-1 in the Senate, 50 plus the vice president, we can overturn the 60-vote rule.”
Tur said, “The filibuster.”
Pelosi said, “The filibuster and pass it with a 51-vote margin. That’s what we need to do.”
