This year’s presidential candidates, Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican former president Donald Trump, have opposing views on almost every major topic impacting the nation—from immigration to climate change—but after the downfall of Roe v. Wade in 2022, at the hand of Supreme Court justices appointed by Trump in his first term, reproductive rights may be the most polarizing.

Harris and the Democratic Party are firmly “pro-choice,” while Trump and the Republicans call themselves “pro-life,” and have varying views on abortion and birth control.

Ahead, we break down each candidate’s views on reproductive rights.

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Kamala Harris

    As a woman, the VP has long insisted it is women who should have the final and only say on what to do with their bodies. During her run for president, she has condemned Trump and his running mate Senator JD Vance’s efforts to control women’s reproductive rights, and has pledged to restore the protections provided by Roe v. Wade if elected.

    In her presidential debate against Trump in September, Harris said: “When Congress passes a bill to put back in place the protections of Roe v. Wade, as president of the United States, I will proudly sign it into law. But understand, if Donald Trump were to be reelected, he will sign a national abortion ban.”

    During the debate, she also noted how many lives have been lost due to Trump’s anti-abortion move, which allowed individual states to dictate when and if a pregnant woman is able to get an abortion.

    pro choice campaigners at a national march for womens lives in washington dc, 9th march 1986 photo by barbara alpergetty images
    Barbara Alper//Getty Images

    “You want to talk about this is what people wanted? Pregnant women who want to carry a pregnancy to term, suffering from a miscarriage, being denied care in an emergency room because health care providers are afraid they might go to jail and she’s bleeding out in a car in the parking lot?” Harris said.

    Her running mate, Minnesota governor Tim Walz, voiced the same thoughts in his vice presidential debate against Vance. When Vance defended Trump’s view to leave it all up to the states, Walz forcefully replied: “That’s not how this works. This is basic human rights.”

    In summary, Kamala Harris:

    • Believes women should have the only say over their own bodies, and that abortion should be a constitutionally protected right for all those living in the United States.
    • Wants the protections provided by Roe v. Wade back.
    • Believes birth control—including over-the-counter methods like condoms, the morning-after pill, and birth control pills—should be free for Americans.
    • Tried to pass legislation through the Senate for nationwide protections on abortion, but were blocked by a filibuster. She has therefore called for Democrats to eliminate the Senate’s legislative filibuster to make passing the bill easier.

    Donald Trump

    The former president’s stance on the issue has evolved through the years, but his most recent comments all culminate in one thought: He wants the individual U.S. states to decide on their own laws when it comes to their residents’ reproductive freedoms.

    During his presidential debate again Harris, he bragged about his ultimately successful push to overturn Roe v. Wade, which protected abortion rights nationwide, claiming that that “everybody” is happy with his solution. And, despite previous comments regarding his support of abortion bans, he insisted that if elected, he will veto any such nationwide bans.

    view of pro choice demonstrators as they carry a large banner on pennsylvania avenue nw between 3rd st sw and 1st st nw during the march for womens lives, washington dc, march 9, 1986 the banner reads in memory of all women who have died from illegal abortion photo by ann e zellegetty images
    Ann E. Zelle//Getty Images

    Currently, 13 states have banned abortion at all stages of pregnancy, while four ban it after six weeks, before many women know they’re pregnant. This includes Florida, where Trump himself has admitted the laws are “too tough”; he has said they will be “redone” if he is reelected.

    In summary, Donald Trump:

    • Believes abortion laws should be left up to the state governments to decide.
    • Stands by his decision to help overturn Roe v. Wade.
    • Has given mixed comments on his stance on birth control, and suggested he may support states imposing regulations on contraception.
    • Said in April 2024 that he would support a nationwide abortion ban at 16 weeks, with exceptions in cases of rape, incest, and if the life of the mother is in danger.
    • Retracted that comment in September 2024, insisting in the presidential debate against Harris that he would not sign a nationwide abortion ban into law.
    • Said in October 2024 that he doesn’t support access to abortion during the seventh, eight or ninth months of pregnancy, nor does he support killing babies—which is, of course, already illegal everywhere in the country.