“It’s not an exaggeration to say women will die because these Republican legislatures in these various states who are out of touch with America are telling women what to do with their bodies,” she said.

Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey responded by adding that it was also the job of men to fight for women’s reproductive rights.

“God bless Kamala,” he said. “But you know what? Women should not be the only ones taking up this cause and this fight. It’s not just because women are our daughters and our friends and our wives. It’s because women are people.”

Later in the debate, the topic of reproductive rights emerged again when Ms. Harris was asked what she would do if states prevailed in further restricting abortion. Over the past year, Ohio, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri and Mississippi have passed bills that effectively prohibit abortions after six to eight weeks of pregnancy.