Speaking to a friendly crowd of state Democrats at Central Connecticut State University, Vice President Kamala Harris said Americans should rally to protect abortion rights-- and they should be wary of conservatives looking to restrict other rights.
Harris called for a federal law superseding new state measures that further restrict abortion. Those state laws were passed in the wake of Dobbs, the Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade.
"These states that are criminalizing health care providers... could not do it, they'd have to stop," said Harris. "These states that are doing this abhorrent, immoral thing of saying, 'no exception for rape or incest,' would have to stop."
Harris appeared with Rep. Jahana Hayes (D-CT05), who faces a difficult reelection campaign against challenger George Logan (R). Logan is seeking to differentiate himself on other issues, as he tries to make sure that voters are aware of his position on abortion: like Hayes, he is pro-choice.
"My opponent and her allies have refused to acknowledge my record of consistently supporting a woman's right to choose," said Logan.
The vice president is calling for voters to choose Hayes again, saying Republican control of the House would contribute to the possible adoption of a national abortion ban and the erosion of other privacy rights. She cites Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas' concurring opinion in Dobbs.
"We know that it is very much in the trajectory of those who have taken away this right of privacy (on abortion)," said Harris, "that they are looking at same-sex marriage and the right to contraception. (Thomas) said the quiet part out out, it's literally in his opinion."
State Republicans were critical of the vice president's appearance, saying the visit appears to be an act of electoral desperation on Hayes' part.
"@JahanaHayesCT & @CTDems are flying in @KamalaHarris to #CT05 Wednesday to try and revive Hayes's failing campaign," reads a tweet from the @CTGOP.
While Vice President Harris calls for Connecticut residents to be active in the fight to maintain abortion rights, Rep. Hayes notes that the state's status as a haven for those rights are at risk in next month's election.
Hayes says, "As legislation is being proposed for a nationwide abortion ban, the rights of the people here in Connecticut could be at risk."