Fort Wayne lawmaker meets with VP Harris on abortion issues

WASHINGTON (WPTA) - House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta joined lawmakers from three other states on Friday for a White House meeting to discuss abortion rights following a landmark Supreme Court ruling.

The Fort Wayne state representative discussed that issue in a session with Vice President Kamala Harris late Friday afternoon.

GiaQuinta told Harris that a move to outlaw most abortions in Indiana -- which could happen at a July 25 special session of the state legislature -- would have dire consequences.

“Make no mistake: an abortion ban will kill women,” he told her. “Indiana leads the nation in maternal and infant mortality outcomes and lacks the infrastructure to support families as it is.”

The meeting came just a few hours after President Joe Biden signed an Executive Order limited in scope, but addressing abortion rights. Biden urged Congress to take further action.

An ABC21 producer who spoke with GiaQuinta outside the White House asked if he was satisfied by the steps the Administration is taking on the matter.

“The vice president and the president certainly are well aware of the issue,” he told us. “I think local reps, U.S. reps, are mobilizing constituents back home to testify... to work on the issue. So I do. I think the administration is doing a nice job, excellent job of getting that message out that they believe in the health and welfare of women. And again, that politicians have no business being in that decision.”

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