Vice President Kamala Harris is reaching out to Americans who oppose abortion, acknowledging the concerns many are now expressing about the post-Roe v. Wade medical landscape. During a recent town hall, Harris addressed the growing unease surrounding the impact of stringent abortion laws that have left women in some states without access to essential reproductive care.

Speaking to an undecided voter who identified herself as a conservative Christian, Harris highlighted conversations she’s had with anti-abortion advocates who are troubled by the unintended consequences of the laws passed after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. “I’ve spoken with many Americans who are anti-abortion, and they’re surprised and concerned by what’s happening,” Harris said. “They did not intend for the harm that some women are now experiencing due to these restrictions.”

Since the landmark decision was overturned, several states have enacted strict abortion bans, significantly reducing access to reproductive healthcare. Women in states with severe restrictions have faced complications, delays, and in some cases, been denied necessary medical care, even when their pregnancies are non-viable or pose serious health risks. This new reality has raised alarm not just among abortion rights advocates, but also among individuals who oppose abortion but are concerned about the broader consequences of these laws.

The undecided voter, who asked Harris about reproductive rights, expressed her discomfort with the post-Roe policies. “I’m a conservative Christian, but what I’m seeing now feels less about protecting the unborn and more about controlling women,” she said, reflecting a sentiment shared by a growing number of Americans who feel conflicted about the direction of the abortion debate.

Harris acknowledged these concerns and reiterated her support for reproductive rights, emphasizing that the decision to have an abortion is deeply personal and should be left to women in consultation with their healthcare providers, not dictated by politicians. “This is about ensuring that women have the right to make decisions about their own bodies,” Harris said. “And I think many people, even those who are personally against abortion, understand that these decisions should not come at the expense of a woman’s health or autonomy.”

The Vice President’s comments come as abortion rights remain a major issue heading into the 2024 election. While some Republican lawmakers continue to push for national abortion bans, others within the party have expressed concerns about the political and human impact of such measures, especially as stories of women’s suffering become more widespread.

Harris is positioning herself as a candidate who can bridge the divide, offering compassion and understanding to those with different views on abortion while making a strong case for protecting reproductive freedoms. By engaging with anti-abortion Americans who are now reconsidering the effects of restrictive laws, Harris is appealing to a broader base of voters, particularly in swing states where the issue of abortion could prove pivotal.

As the nation grapples with the implications of a post-Roe world, Harris’s outreach to those traditionally opposed to abortion reflects a recognition that this issue is far from black-and-white, and that concerns about healthcare, women’s rights, and government overreach are resonating across party lines.