In her bid for the White House, presidential candidate Kamala Harris has pledged to "restore reproductive freedom," with a specific emphasis on reinstating Roe v. Wade. While this stance has garnered support from many abortion-rights groups, there are activists who remain frustrated with Harris' position, advocating for more comprehensive policies beyond what President Joe Biden has proposed.

According to the Harris campaign, the vice president's stance on abortion, as expressed in a September interview with "Face the Nation," remains unchanged. Harris supports the restoration of Roe v. Wade, which protected the right to abortion until around 22 weeks of pregnancy - the point of fetal viability. In the interview, Harris stated, "We need to put into law the protections of Roe v. Wade," emphasizing the need to revert to the state before the recent Dobbs decision.

Harris' approach to reproductive rights reflects her efforts to establish her own identity as a presidential candidate, distinct from Biden. While some progressive voters hoped she would significantly adopt a more liberal stance on abortion, she has opted for a more moderate path, in contrast to her platform during her initial run for office in 2019.

While abortion-rights groups have endorsed Harris and expressed their support, they argue that restoring Roe v. Wade should be the starting point, not the end goal. These activists urge for policies that extend the timeline for seeking abortions and a Congress that is willing to pass them. The focus is on pushing for broader federal protections to ensure reproductive justice.

Mini Timmaraju, president and CEO of Reproductive Freedom for All, an organization that has campaigned alongside Harris, explains, "I don't think there's a real debate about whether we want to go beyond Roe. The debate is what can get done and how quickly it can get done." Timmaraju's organization, along with EMILY's List and Planned Parenthood, recently launched a $100 million, multi-year campaign dedicated to federal protections for reproductive rights.

However, some abortion-rights activists find Harris' position "unacceptable." They argue that the protections provided by Roe v. Wade have allowed states to impose restrictions and bans on abortion later in pregnancy, causing harm to patients and limiting access to vital healthcare services. Jenni Villavicencio, an OB-GYN and co-founder of Raven Lab for Reproductive Liberation, emphasizes that an expansive policy is necessary and vows to unify the movement in demanding comprehensive legislation.

As Harris calls for the restoration of Roe v. Wade, a new coalition called Abortion Justice Now has formed, consisting of various groups like Medical Students for Choice and the National Institute for Reproductive Health. Their aim is to push candidates and policymakers to embrace broader federal protections for abortion rights. They plan to hold a virtual press conference and engage with influential groups and lawmakers to further their cause.

Polling indicates that while access to abortion enjoys widespread support, there is a consensus that certain restrictions should be in place. A recent YouGov/The Times poll suggests that 31 percent of voters believe there should be no restrictions on abortion, while 32 percent support abortions in most cases with some restrictions, and 30 percent believe the procedure should only be allowed in special circumstances.

Harris' alignment with Biden on abortion policy emerges as former President Donald Trump labels her an "absolute radical." Trump falsely claims that Harris supports abortion even in the eighth and ninth month of pregnancy and beyond, an assertion that her campaign vehemently denies. Harris, in response, has accused Trump of being a real threat and has vowed to prevent him from imposing a national abortion ban.

With a focused effort on reproductive rights, Harris has devoted considerable attention to the issue in her campaign rallies and speeches. She warns of the disastrous consequences for reproductive health care under a second Trump presidency, highlighting Trump's role in appointing three Supreme Court justices who played a part in overturning Roe v. Wade. Harris emphasizes the importance of protecting democracy and allowing women to make decisions about their own bodies.

Furthermore, in response to Iowa becoming the 18th state to ban most abortions, the Harris campaign has announced a "Fight for Reproductive Freedom" week of action, which will include numerous events across battleground states. Harris has condemned the new Iowa law as another "Trump abortion ban."

As the presidential race progresses, the conversation surrounding reproductive rights continues to evolve. Harris' stance on restoring Roe v. Wade may garner both support and frustration, but the demand for more comprehensive federal protections remains a rallying point for many activists seeking reproductive justice.