Kamala Harris currently serves as the 49th Vice President of the United States. She is the first woman, first Black American, and first person of South Asian descent to hold this position. Before becoming Vice President, Harris was a U.S. Senator from California (2017-2021) and as the Attorney General of California (2011-2017). Hailing from Oakland, California, with immigrant parents—a Jamaican father and an Indian mother—she frequently emphasizes her diverse heritage and journey through public service as integral to her political persona.
Key Focus Areas and Policies
Economic Justice and Middle-Class Investment
Workers’ Rights and Fair Wages: Harris supports a $15 minimum wage, enhanced worker protections, and unions to combat income inequality and uplift middle- and working-class households.
COVID-19 Economic Recovery: Harris plays a role in crafting pandemic relief policies like direct payments to citizens, prolonged unemployment benefits, and assistance for small businesses to facilitate recovery from the pandemic.
Racial and Social Equity
Criminal Justice Reform: Despite scrutiny due to her past as a prosecutor, Harris advocates for criminal justice reform, proposing measures to reduce mandatory minimum sentences, abolish private prisons, and prohibit chokeholds. She collaborated on the Justice in Policing Act, which seeks to tackle police accountability and systemic bias.
Civil Rights and Anti-Racism Initiatives: Harris backs efforts to enhance civil rights protections and address systemic racism through initiatives such as affordable housing programs, expanded voting rights, and support for minority-owned businesses.
Healthcare Access and Affordability
Harris has been a supporter of affordable healthcare, promoting a public option to broaden access to coverage similar to Medicare. While initially backing “Medicare for All,” she changed her position to back enhanced healthcare options combining public and private insurance.
Mental Health and Reproductive Rights:
Harris has emphasized mental health services and reproductive rights protections, specially advocating for access to abortion services, aligning herself with policies safeguarding personal health decisions.
Climate Change and Environmental Justice
Climate Action Plan:
Harris backs the Biden administration’s aim of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, supporting measures to decrease reliance on fossil fuels, boost clean energy employment, and encourage sustainable practices.
Environmental Justice for Vulnerable Communities:
Harris has concentrated on the impact of pollution on low-income and minority communities. During her time in the Senate, she suggested a $10 billion fund to help communities heavily impacted by pollution. She also backs funding for clean water, air, and environmental justice initiatives.
**Immigration Reform**
Harris pushes for immigration reform that provides a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. This includes support for DACA recipients (often known as “Dreamers”) and individuals who have resided and worked in the U.S. Addressing Root Causes of Migration: In her role as Vice President, she has been actively engaged in diplomatic efforts to tackle the underlying reasons for migration from Central America, such as violence, poverty, and corruption. The goal is to alleviate the factors that prompt individuals to migrate.
Education and Workforce Development
Higher Education and Student Debt Relief: Harris has endorsed policies that seek to eliminate tuition fees for community colleges and lessen the burden of student loan debt, particularly for families with low incomes.
Technical Training and Workforce Development: She has highlighted the importance of programs focused on technical training and apprenticeships to equip American workers with the skills needed for in-demand jobs, especially in fields like technology and renewable energy.
Foreign Policy and National Security
Harris advocates for a foreign policy that prioritizes diplomacy, human rights, and collaboration with global partners. She supports the U.S. In order to address issues like climate change, human rights, and economic stability, especially concerning China and Russia, there is a need to collaborate with other countries.
Regarding cybersecurity and technology, Harris has displayed interest in tackling cybersecurity threats and improving technology infrastructure in the U.S. To safeguard against both domestic and international risks.
Policy Philosophy and Approach
Harris’s policies frequently highlight fairness and justice among different income groups, assistance for the middle class, and reinforcement of democratic institutions. Her policies closely match those of the Biden administration’s overall agenda, occasionally leaning towards a more progressive stance, particularly on issues related to environmental and social justice. She maintains a balance between her progressive objectives and a practical strategy for working across party lines and implementing gradual changes.
