Update: Vice-President Harris visits Minnesota abortion clinic

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Vice-President Kamala Harris visited a Planned Parenthood clinic on Thursday, marking what her office said was the first time a vice-president has toured a facility that performs abortions, as the White House escalates its defense of abortion in this year’s election.

“Right now, in our country, we are facing a very serious health crisis,” Harris said at the St. Paul facility. “And the crisis is affecting many, many people in our country, most of whom are, frankly, silently suffering.”

Although Democratic leaders in Minnesota have protected abortion access, neighboring states have banned or severely restricted the procedure.

“How dare these elected leaders believe they are in a better position to tell women what they need,” Harris said. “We have to be a nation that trusts women.”

Harris said she met two dozen health care workers at the clinic who had created an environment where patients can “be safe” and “free from judgment.”

Dr. Sarah Traxler, chief medical officer of Planned Parenthood North Central States, introduced herself as “a proud abortion provider” and called Harris’ visit a “historic moment.” She said the number of patients visiting the clinic from out of state has doubled.

“Everyone should have the right to access health care,” Traxler said.

Protesters gathered across the street, holding signs that said “life is a human right” and “abortion kills a human being.”

There are no restrictions on abortion at any stage of pregnancy in Minnesota. Biden won the state by 7 percentage points in 2020 on the way to defeating then-President Trump.

Abortion is currently illegal in more than a dozen states, including North Dakota and South Dakota, and is restricted in Iowa and Wisconsin.