JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Vice President Kamala Harris took aim at Florida’s new six-week abortion ban in Jacksonville Wednesday, less than 24 hours after the ban went into effect.
Harris was joined by supporters and several local Democratic officials including Mayor Donna Deegan and State Senator Tracie Davis (D-Jacksonville).
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“As of this morning, four million women in this state woke up with fewer reproductive freedoms than they did last night,” Harris said.
The visit marked the second time in two years Harris has chosen Jacksonville as a venue to criticize Florida policy.
The city had in many ways become a haven for women across the South seeking abortion care up to 15 weeks, but it’s one less option on the table now that the six-week ban has taken effect.
Carveouts are limited, only allowing victims of rape, incest and human trafficking to obtain procedures up to 15 weeks.
Even then, they’ll be required to provide some form of documentation like a police report or restraining order to back up their claim.
Beyond 15 weeks, exceptions only exist to protect the life of the mother, prevent permanent physical injury to the mother, or because a doctor determines the fetus is unlikely to survive after birth.
According to CDC statistics, before Roe v. Wade was overturned, more than half of all abortion procedures occurred after six weeks.
“Starting this morning women in Florida became subject to an abortion ban so extreme it applies before many women even know they are pregnant,” Harris said.
Harris took aim at former President Donald Trump, pinning Florida’s six-week ban directly on his shoulders.
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“This is the new reality under a Trump abortion ban,” Harris said.
Harris also claimed Trump would sign a national ban if given the opportunity and vowed in a second term, President Joe Biden would sign off on national protections.
“Donald Trump was the President who took away the protections of Roe, Joe Biden will be the President who puts the protections of Roe back in place,” Harris said.
RELATED: Florida’s 6-week abortion ban takes effect as doctors worry women will lose access to health care
In a statement, senior Trump campaign advisor Brian Hughes pushed back against Harris’ comments.
“President Trump has consistently said these decisions are best made at the state level where people have the best opportunity to make their voices heard,” Hughes said.
But Harris argued the ban would never have been possible if not for Trump.
RELATED: ‘An emotional toll:’ Jacksonville clinic front and center as 6-week abortion ban takes effect
“Donald Trump handpicked three members of the United States Supreme Court because he intended for them to overturn Roe,” Harris said.
With abortion on the ballot in Florida this year, Democrats are hoping the issue could put Florida back in play up and down the ticket.
Amendment 4 would restore abortion access in Florida back to levels seen before Roe v. Wade was overturned.
RELATED: Trump says states should decide on prosecuting women for abortions, has no comment on abortion pill
But Evan Power, Chair of the Florida GOP, said he doesn’t believe abortion will be a major factor in the election.
“You’re not turning out new voters and people in Florida care about the economy and immigration and Joe Biden has failed on those. I think that’s how they’re going to vote,” Power said.
The Trump Campaign echoed those sentiments.
RELATED: Florida Democrats hope abortion and marijuana questions draw young voters despite low enthusiasm
“What we didn’t hear from the Biden Harris rant today are real solutions to secure the border from the crisis they’ve created. We didn’t hear a plan to solve stagflation and the Bidenomic policies that make groceries, gas, and housing destroy families’ bank accounts,” Hughes said. “And of course we didn’t hear how their silence is encouraging chaos on campuses and towns under attack from extremists whose lawless demonstrations have turned violent.”
But Chair of the Florida Democratic Party Nikki Fried said she believes there was already momentum building for Democrats, even before the six-week ban came into play.
She argued Florida is back in play, and it starts in Duval.
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“I really see this community is stepping up to the plate, is fighting for democracy, is fighting for our reproductive healthcare and the Vice President that we are never leaving, not only Duval, but the State of Florida behind,” Fried said.
A recent UNF national poll for abortion was the number three issue for voters overall but the number one issue for Democrats.
The economy came in at No. 1 overall and immigration slightly beat out abortion for the No. 2 spot.
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