TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Vice President Kamala Harris railed against efforts in Washington and in Republican-led states to restrict abortion on what would have been the 50th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade, invoking fundamental American values such as freedom to make the case for protecting abortion access despite the Supreme Court’s decision to eliminate constitutional protections for it.

Leading the administration’s response on commemorating Roe on Sunday, Harris methodically detailed fights throughout history for certain liberties, such as civil rights and the right to vote for women, and tied that to access for abortion, which Harris called the “fundamental, constitutional, right of a woman to make decisions about her own body.”

“Can we truly be free if families cannot make intimate decisions about the course of their own lives?” Harris said in a fiery speech before a boisterous crowd of 1,500 people in Tallahassee, Florida. “And can we truly be free if so-called leaders claim to be quote, I quote, on the vanguard of freedom while they dare to restrict the rights of the American people and attack the very foundations of freedom?”

Women’s marches demanding the protection of abortion rights were set to draw thousands of people across the country on Sunday, the 50th anniversary of the now-overturned Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision that established a federal right to an abortion.

In the speech, Harris announced a presidential memorandum that seeks to defend medical abortion access, which she claims is at stake in Republican-led states, including Florida.

The memo orders the federal government to explore legal protections defending abortion pill access and patient security. It specifically asks federal agencies to identify barriers to access and mandates them to make recommendations to protect the drug’s distribution.

The announcement also comes as a court in Texas hears arguments challenging FDA approval of the drug. A ruling in that case, Harris says, would provide national precedent.

“America is the land of the free and the home of the brave,” said Harris. “But let us ask: can we truly be free if a woman cannot make decisions about her own body? Can we truly be free if a doctor cannot care for her patients? Can we truly be free if families cannot make intimate decisions about the course of their own lives?”

The pill — known as mifepristone — is prescription only and results in medical abortion if used within 70 days after a woman’s last menstrual cycle.

It’s among the latest battle lines in the nation’s abortion fight, which now wages on without the landmark federal protections of Roe v. Wade. Florida’s Republican-led Legislature in the previous legislative session approved a 15-week abortion, which contains no exceptions for rape or incest. Harris called the law “radical.”

“Understand clearly: the majority of Americans oppose these attacks,” Harris said. “Americans of every background in every community have voiced their perspective. From Kansas to California, Michigan, Montana, Kentucky and Vermont. They spoke with their vote.”

More changes to Florida’s abortion laws, however, are not off the table. House Speaker Paul Renner on Friday told Spectrum News discussions among members on stricter abortion laws are ongoing. Republicans in Tallahassee enjoy a supermajority in both the House and Senate, meaning they do need Democratic support to pass legislation.

Gov. Ron DeSantis, meanwhile, is also warm on the idea. He in December expressed a willingness to sign further abortion restrictions if proposed by lawmakers. It is unclear how far Republicans may expand the ban, if at all.

“Attitudes aren’t going to change overnight about abortion,” Renner said. “But, I want to move in a pro-life direction… I think we’ll see how all that balances out with our Senate partners, with the Governor’s Office and all of the members. You may see something later this session in that regard.”

Several Florida political leaders attended the event including Senate Minority Leader Lauren Book and House Minority Fentrice Driskell. They pair vowed to fight any legislation that may further restrict abortion. Florida's 2023 Legislative Session begins in March.