The U.S. Vice Pres. Kamala Harris has recently met with Massachusetts state legislators over the country's reproductive health issue. 

In a Boston-based roundtable meeting, the vice president said that the government should not be deciding on an individual's reproductive health. Instead, the person should seek advice from their pastors, priests, rabbis, and most importantly, their loved ones. 

VP Harris on Reproductive Rights

On Thursday, Aug. 4, Vice President Harris led the roundtable meeting in Massachusetts, held at the IBEW Local 103 in Dorchester. Several state legislators and local leaders attended the meeting, as per the U.S. Cong. Ayanna Pressley's website. 

Reproductive rights was one of the most important topics the vice president discussed in the said meeting. In line with the Supreme Court's recent decision in the Roe v. Wade case, Vice President Harris commended the leaders in Massachusetts for allowing abortion to stay legal in the state, per the White House press release. 

One of the leaders who insisted on making abortion legal was the state's top prosecutor, Attorney General Maura Healey. According to NBC Boston, she was one of the first people who announced to fight for abortion access in the state right after the overturned ruling. 

In her speech, Vice President Harris described Massachusetts as a 'model of work,' which for her signifies the "concept of freedom and liberty and dignity." She added that the entire country should be following the abortion laws in Massachusetts. 

According to the NBC Boston report, Massachusetts abortion laws state that pregnant women at 16 years of age are allowed to have an abortion without parental consent. 

The law also said that abortion is legal after 24 weeks of pregnancy if a doctor or physician recommends it due to health dangers between the mother and the fetus. 

Seek Help From Pastors

Aside from commending local legislators, Harris pointed out that government should not be making laws about "the most intimate decisions that any human being can make about their life and their future." 

Thus, she suggested that instead of listening to the government, pregnant women should seek advice from their trusted local pastors, priests, or rabbis for counseling. 

Most importantly, the vice president said a pregnant woman should listen to her loved ones in these decisions. 

"I also strongly believe that, on this issue, to stand for these principles of freedom and liberty does not require anyone to abandon their faith or their beliefs," she explained. 

In conclusion, Vice President Harris said that she would continue to do her work in protecting women's rights in the country. She explained that the people should decide what to do with their bodies, not the government. 

VP Harris' Religious Stand

In her interview with the Interfaith America website, then-vice president candidate Harris shared her faith in God. She narrated that her personal faith started at a young age when her family used to attend services at 23rd Avenue Church of God in Oakland, California. 

She added that the church taught her that faith is something that they must live and not just pray for. 

More from Crossmap: ‘2022 ASI International Convention’ to occur in Orlando from August 3-6