Kamala Harris crafted history on January 20, 2021, when she was inducted as the Vice President of the United States. She is the initial lady, the initial African American lady, and the initial Asian American lady to hold this office. Her journey to this groundbreaking role is marked by a collection of noteworthy accomplishments in her vocation as a general population servant and governmental official.
Early Life and Schooling
Kamala Devi Harris was conceived on October 20, 1964, in Oakland, California. Her mom, Shyamala Gopalan, was a breast disease researcher who had immigrated from India, and her dad, Donald Harris, is a Jamaican American educator of financial aspects.
Harris was brought up in a family unit that esteemed training and dynamic dissent. She had a restless psyche from a youthful age and frequently questioned specialists. Harris shown early scholarly potential and was urged by parents and instructors to consistently extend her psyches limits.
Tur attended Howard University in Washington, D.C., a historically black college and university where she studied political science and economics. She later came back to California and completed her J.D. from the University of California, Hastings College of Law.
Legal Career
Harris started her career in the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office where she worked as a deputy district attorney prosecuting robbery, burglary, and sexual assault cases. She was elected as the District Attorney of San Francisco back in 2003. In office, she started multiple new programs in the hopes of reforming criminal justice including a program titled “Back on Track” which would help reduce recidivism rates among first-time drug offenders.
California Attorney General
In 2010, Harris was elected California’s Attorney General (pictured), the first woman and African American to hold that office. She was re-elected in 2014. As Attorney General, she gained a reputation for going after the big banks and homeowners rights and prosecuting human traffickers and other crimes against society. She was instrumental, too, in the national mortgage settlement that brought relief to homeowners harmed during the foreclosure crisis.
U.S. Senate
Harris won the U.S. Senate seat from California in 2016 for which she became successor of Barbara Boxer. As a senator, she was on the Senate Judiciary Committee, the Senate Intelligence Committee, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee and the Senate Budget in 2007. Harris developed a name for herself with her piercing queries during committee hearings, especially on the Judiciary panel where she grilled top Trump administration officials.
2020 Presidential Campaign
Harris declared her candidacy for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination on January 21, 2019. She campaigned on a platform of health care reform, economic justice and criminal justice reform. Though starting off well, her campaign began to wane and would eventually end on December 3rd when she suspended the bid for President.
Vice Presidential Nomination and Election
In March 2020, Harris endorsed Joe Biden for president after suspending her own campaign. In The RaceJoe Biden announced Harris as his running mate on August 11, 2020 (and she became the first African American and South Asian American woman to be nominated for national office by a major party). On November 3, 2020 the Biden-Harris ticket was officially announced victorious in an election against sitting president Donald Trump and vice-president Mike Pence.
Vice Presidency
After being inaugurated, VP Harris was assigned many portfolio jobs including the coronavirus pandemic response, immigration reform, voting rights and overseeing White House efforts to address issues in Central America. She has also been an international representative of the U.S., visiting with leaders around the globe and undertaking diplomatic missions.
Legacy and Impact
READ MORE: Kamala Harris’ journey is a ‘symbol of progress’: Civil rights lawyerThe ascent to the vice presidency is an historic breakthrough, with shattered racial and gender barriers. Her career is marked by a dedication to justice, equity and public service. She still has critical influence over the policies and trajectory of her administration as Vice President Harris.
Already her historic vice presidency is an inspiration for many, reflecting what women and people of color can achieve at the highest levels in American politics. As US Vice President Kamala Harris is proving to the rest, her time as in office likely be remembered longer than anticipated paving potentially new ground for a generation of political leaders.
Kamala Harris’ Policy Achievements
Kamala Harris, throughout her career as a prosecutor, Attorney General of California, U.S. Senator, and now as Vice President of the United States, has been instrumental in shaping and implementing significant policies across various domains. Her policy achievements reflect her commitment to justice, equality, and public service.
As District Attorney of San Francisco
1. Back on Track Program: Harris launched this initiative aimed at reducing recidivism among first-time drug offenders. The program provided job training, educational opportunities, and other resources to help individuals re-enter society successfully, reducing the chances of reoffending.
2. Environmental Justice: Harris created a unit focused on environmental justice, addressing issues affecting low-income and minority communities disproportionately impacted by environmental hazards.
As Attorney General of California
1. National Mortgage Settlement: Harris played a critical role in securing a $20 billion settlement for California homeowners affected by the foreclosure crisis. This settlement provided financial relief and helped homeowners stay in their homes.
2. Technology Crimes: Harris established the state’s first Bureau of Children’s Justice to combat child exploitation and address issues like truancy and foster care reform. She also created a unit to tackle cybercrime, focusing on identity theft, child exploitation, and other technology-related crimes.
3. LGBTQ+ Rights: Harris refused to defend Proposition 8, which banned same-sex marriage in California, contributing to its eventual overturning and paving the way for marriage equality in the state.
4. Truancy: Harris launched a statewide initiative to reduce truancy rates in California, emphasizing the importance of school attendance in preventing future criminal behavior and improving educational outcomes.
As U.S. Senator
1. Legislation on Lynching: Harris co-sponsored the Justice for Victims of Lynching Act, which sought to make lynching a federal hate crime. This legislation was part of her broader efforts to address racial violence and promote civil rights.
2. Immigration Reform: Harris was a vocal advocate for comprehensive immigration reform, including protection for Dreamers under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. She introduced legislation to reunite families separated at the border and improve conditions for immigrants in detention.
3. Criminal Justice Reform: Harris co-sponsored the First Step Act, a bipartisan criminal justice reform bill aimed at reducing recidivism and improving prison conditions. She also introduced legislation to end cash bail at the federal level, arguing that the current system disproportionately impacts low-income individuals and people of color.
4. Economic Justice: Harris introduced the LIFT (Livable Incomes for Families Today) the Middle Class Act, which proposed providing a monthly tax credit to middle-class families. This policy aimed to alleviate financial burdens and reduce income inequality.
5. Climate Change: Harris co-sponsored the Green New Deal resolution, advocating for a comprehensive approach to address climate change, create green jobs, and promote environmental justice.
As Vice President
1. COVID-19 Pandemic Response: Harris has been actively involved in the administration’s efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes promoting vaccination campaigns, supporting the American Rescue Plan, which provided economic relief to millions of Americans, and addressing health disparities exacerbated by the pandemic.
2. Immigration and Border Policy: Harris has been tasked with addressing the root causes of migration from Central America. She has engaged in diplomatic efforts with leaders from the region to improve conditions and reduce the need for people to flee their home countries.
3. Voting Rights: Harris has championed efforts to protect voting rights amidst a wave of restrictive voting laws in various states. She has supported federal legislation such as the For the People Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act to ensure fair access to the ballot.
4. Infrastructure: Harris has supported the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal, which aims to modernize America’s infrastructure, create jobs, and address climate change through investments in clean energy and sustainable transportation.
5. Women’s Rights and Equality: Harris has continued to advocate for gender equality, including supporting policies to address the gender pay gap, protect reproductive rights, and combat gender-based violence.
Kamala Harris’ policy achievements highlight her dedication to justice, equality, and public service. As Vice President, she continues to leverage her extensive experience to address critical issues facing the nation and promote policies that benefit all Americans.
