VP Harris Is Making Significant Moves, and I’m All In

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On Inauguration Day this past January, my family and I found ourselves in various locations. I was working remotely from home, my partner, a hospital chaplain, was with patients, and our children were at school. Though we couldn’t be together in one space, we donned our Biden-Harris hoodies, and our daughters wore their Kamala t-shirts. We were ready for this moment, embracing a new administration led by a Black, South Asian woman as Vice President, a symbol that progress is indeed possible.

Vice President Harris was a prominent and vocal ally to Joe Biden during their campaign, making history with her victory speech in Delaware on November 7, 2020. Since taking office, however, what has Harris been up to? What are the specifics of her role? Beyond being “next in line” should anything happen to the president, what responsibilities does the vice president hold?

The reality is that it’s largely up to each president and vice president to define the latter’s role within the administration. When Biden was vice president, he took on tasks like implementing the economic recovery plan and managing foreign policy. The initial 100 days of the Biden-Harris administration have provided a platform for establishing Harris’s duties and responsibilities.

For instance…

1. Senate Tie-Breaker
   Aside from being next in line for the presidency, this is the one duty explicitly assigned to the vice president by the Constitution. When there’s a tie in the Senate, Vice President Harris is authorized to cast the tie-breaking vote.

   Not all vice presidents have the same number of tie-breaking votes: VP Mike Pence did it 13 times, while Biden never had to break a tie during his tenure with Obama. However, given the current 50-50 split in the Senate, Harris is likely to have numerous opportunities. Just last month, she was called out of an Oval Office meeting to cast the deciding vote on President Biden’s $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief plan. While Biden deserves credit for the law that will alleviate financial burdens for struggling Americans, it was Harris’s tie-breaking vote that made it happen.

2. Vaccine Ambassador
   Since the bill passed, Harris has been traveling across the country (with her husband, Doug Emhoff) to emphasize the importance of the COVID-19 relief plan. This includes promoting the success of vaccines and encouraging everyone to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

   Harris is uniquely positioned to serve as an ambassador to communities of color, where vaccine hesitancy is a concern. As a woman of color, she can engage in frank discussions to address fears about the vaccine. In an interview with MSNBC, Harris assured, “I promise you and I am telling you this vaccine is safe… And it will save your life and the lives of your family and your community.”

3. Advocate for Civil Rights
   In addition to vaccination efforts, Harris uses her platform to address various issues, including the current attacks on voting rights that echo the days of Jim Crow. As a Black woman and vice president, she is both personally and politically affected by this onslaught, making her voice crucial in the dialogue.

   Harris has not shied away from speaking out, stating, “Americans today want to vote for the same reason the Selma teachers marched to that courthouse: to have a say in their lives… Our laws should make it easier, not more difficult to exercise that right.”

4. Champion Against Asian Hate
   With the increase in hate crimes against Asian Americans, it is vital to have prominent leaders like Harris who can speak out against these issues. As both the first Black and Asian vice president, she has actively condemned xenophobic attacks, saying, “Our Administration has taken actions to address these xenophobic attacks. We must continue to commit ourselves to combating racism and discrimination.”

   Harris was present when President Biden signed an executive order to combat anti-Asian discrimination, demonstrating her consistent visibility and support for the administration’s policies.

5. Migration Coordinator
   One of the first actions taken by Biden and Harris upon entering office was to reverse the Trump administration’s harsh policies at the U.S. border. However, this was only the initial step. The ongoing task of processing thousands of migrants requires careful consideration of who should stay and who should go, particularly regarding unaccompanied minors arriving as refugees.

   President Biden has assigned Harris to lead this effort, and she has accepted the challenge with confidence, stating, “There is no question that this is a challenging situation… We will enforce the law and we also — because we can chew gum and walk at the same time — must address the root causes.”

6. “Last Voice in the Room”
   As vice president, Biden was often seen as the “last voice in the room” during crucial decisions made by President Obama. While the president ultimately made the final call, the vice president’s perspective held significant weight.

   President Biden has promised that Harris will maintain this role, ensuring that her insights will be considered in decision-making across various issues.

I look forward to hearing more from our vice president, especially regarding the safe return of migrant children to their families and progress in reforming our criminal justice system.

What stands out about this administration is their commitment to restoring America, helping us navigate the pandemic, and aspiring to return to a sense of normalcy without rushing through tasks just to check them off a list. We have a First Lady who delivers cookies to her security team and a Vice President who values time off for her staff, emphasizing that they are Americans first and leaders second. Their gradual approach promises to lead us toward recovery, and together, we can take pride in the country we call home.

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Summary

Vice President Harris is actively shaping her role in the Biden administration through various responsibilities, including serving as a tie-breaker in the Senate, acting as a vaccine ambassador, advocating for civil rights and against Asian hate, overseeing migration issues, and being the “last voice in the room” for significant decisions. Her unique background allows her to connect with different communities, and her commitment to tackling pressing issues is clear. This administration is focused on restoring normalcy and supporting American citizens through challenging times.