Kamala D. Harris

Democratic Party

Prior offices

Attorney General of California

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U.S. Senate California

Successor:Alex Padilla

Predecessor:Barbara Boxer

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Vice President of the United States

Successor:J.D. Vance

Predecessor:Mike Pence

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Elections and appointments

Last election

November 5, 2024

Education

Bachelor's

Howard University, 1986

Law

University of California, Hastings College of the Law, 1989

Personal

Religion

Christian: Baptist

Profession

Attorney

Kamala Devi Harris (b. October 20, 1964, in Oakland,California) was the 49th vice president of the United States. She served from January 20, 2021, to January 20, 2025, alongside PresidentJoe Biden (D). Harris was the first woman, Black person, and person of South Asian descent to serve as vice president.

Harris ran in the2024 presidential election. She declared her candidacy on July 21, 2024, followingJoe Biden's (D)withdrawal from the race.^[1] Harris won the Democratic nomination during a virtual roll call vote on August 2, 2024.^[2] She selected Minnesota GovernorTim Walz (D) as her running mate on August 6.^[3]

In an interview withThe New York Times, Harris said, "There are certain opportunities that come only with a position like being vice president of the United States to uplift the voices of the people in a way that I think matters and makes a difference."^[4] Harris chose to work in the area of voting reforms at the start of her tenure.^[5] The Biden administration also tasked her with focusing on easing immigration at the U.S.-Mexico border and abortion access.^[6][7][8] As vice president, Harris served as the chairwoman of the White House Task Force on Worker Organizing and Empowerment and the White House Task Force to Address Online Harassment and Abuse.^[9][10]

As vice president, Harris served as the president of the Senate. In this capacity, she would cast the deciding vote when there was a tie in the Senate. In December 2023, Harris cast her32ndtie-breaking vote, making her the vice president who had cast the most tie-breaking votes in U.S. history.

Harris ran for the2020 Democratic presidential nomination, entering the race in January 2019.^[11] She ended herpresidential campaign in December 2019, and endorsed Biden in March 2020.^[12][13] Biden announced Harris as his running mate on August 11, 2020.^[14][15]

Harris was elected to the U.S. Senate in2016, defeatingLoretta Sanchez (D) 62% to 38%, and served in that role until 2021.^[16] Before serving in the Senate, Harris served as theattorney general of California from 2011 to 2017. She was first elected to the position in 2010, defeatingSteve Cooley (R) 46% to 45.5%.^[17] From 2004 to 2011, Harris wasSan Francisco's district attorney.^[18]

In the U.S. Senate, Harris served on the Select Intelligence, Budget, Environment and Public Works, Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, and Judiciary Committees. As attorney general, Harris' work included defending the use of the death penalty in court, refusing to defendCalifornia's 2008 ballot measure eliminating legal same-sex marriage, and helping to secure a $25 billion mortgage debt relief settlement from mortgage lenders after the 2008 recession.^[19][20]Politico's Jeremy B. White and Emily Schultheis wrote that Harris supported bills in California "to fortify penalties for truancy and crack down on international criminal networks."^[21]

Biography

Harris was born inOakland, California, in 1964. Her mother, Shyamala Gopalan, is a biologist from India. Her father, Donald J. Harris, is an economist from Jamaica. From the age of twelve, Harris lived in Montreal, Quebec, with her mother and sister until she returned to the U.S. to attend Howard University in Washington, D.C. She earned a bachelor's degree in political science and economics from Howard in 1986. Harris attended law school at the University of California, Hastings, serving as president of the school's chapter of the Black Law Students Association. She graduated with a J.D. in 1989.^[22][23]

After graduating from law school, Harris joined the office of theAlameda County district attorney, where she worked for eight years as a prosecutor. Then-state assemblymanWillie Brown (D) appointed Harris to positions on the California Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board and the Medical Assistance Commission in 1994.^[24][25] In 1998, Harris was hired as managing attorney for theSan Francisco District Attorney's Career Criminal Unit. She transferred to head the Division on Families and Children in 2000. In 2003, Harris was elected San Francisco District Attorney. She won re-election in 2007.^[26]

In2010, was electedCalifornia attorney general. She was re-elected in2014. In2016, Harris was elected to theU.S. Senate seat formerly held byBarbara Boxer (D). Harris was the first South Asian American to serve in the U.S. Senate.

In 2009, Harris authoredSmart on Crime: A Career Prosecutor's Plan to Make Us Safer, where she discussed potential changes to the criminal justice system. She wroteThe Truths We Hold: An American Journey, a memoir, andSuperheroes Are Everywhere, a picture book, in 2018.^[27]

Career

Below is an abbreviated outline of Harris' academic, professional, and political career:^[28]

• 2021-Present: Vice president of the United States
• 2017-2021: U.S. senator fromCalifornia
• 2011-2016: Attorney general of California
• 2004-2011: District attorney of San Francisco
• 1990-1998: Deputy district attorney, Alameda County, Calif.
• 1989: Graduated from the University of California, Hastings with a J.D.
• 1986: Graduated from Howard University with a B.A.

Committee assignments

U.S. Senate

2017-2018

At the beginning of the115th Congress, Harris was assigned to the following committees:^[29]

• Committee on Intelligence (Select)
• Committee on the Budget
• Committee on Environment and Public Works
• Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
• Committee on the Judiciary

Key votes

See also:Key votes

Key votes: 116th Congress, 2019-2021

The116th United States Congress began on January 9, 2019, and ended on January 3, 2021. At the start of the session, Democrats held the majority in theU.S. House of Representatives (235-200), and Republicans held the majority in theU.S. Senate (53-47).Donald Trump (R) was the president andMike Pence (R) was the vice president. We identified the key votes below usingCongress' top-viewed bills list and through marquee coverage of certain votes on Ballotpedia.

Key votes: 116th Congress, 2019-2021
Vote	Bill and description	Status
Yea	CARES Act   The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (H.R. 748) was a bill passed by the 116th Congress and signed into law by President Donald Trump (R) on March 27, 2020, that expanded benefits through the joint federal-state unemployment insurance program during the coronavirus pandemic. The legislation also included $1,200 payments to certain individuals, funding for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, and funds for businesses, hospitals, and state and local governments. The bill required a three-fifths majority vote in the Senate.[30]	Passed (96-0)
Not Voting	National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020   The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (S. 1790) was a bill passed by the 116th Congress and signed into law by President Donald Trump (R) on December 20, 2019, setting policies and appropriations for the Department of Defense. Key features of this bill include appropriations for research/development, procurement, military construction, and operation/maintenence, as well as policies for paid family leave, North Korea nuclear sanctions, limiting the use of criminal history in federal hiring and contracting, military housing privatization, and paid family leave for federal personnel. This bill required a simple majroity vote in the Senate.[31]	Passed (86-8)
Yea	Families First Coronavirus Response Act   The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201) was a bill passed by the 116th Congress and signed into law by President Donald Trump (R) on March 18, 2020, addressing the COVID-19 pandemic by increasing access to unemployment benefits and food assistance, increasing funding for Medicaid, providing free testing for COVID-19, and requiring employers to provide paid sick time to employees who cannot work due to COVID-19. The bill required a three-fifths majority vote in the Senate.[32]	Passed (90-8)
Not Voting	Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020   The Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 (H.R. 1865) was a bill passed by the 116th Congress and signed into law by President Donald Trump (R) on December 20, 2019, providing appropriations for federal agencies in fiscal year 2020. This bill required a simple majority vote in the Senate.[33]	Passed (71-23)
Yea	Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020   The Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020 (H.R. 6074) was a bill passed by the 116th Congress and signed into law by President Donald Trump on March 6, 2020, providing emergency funding to federal agencies in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Key features of the bill include funding for vaccine research, small business loans, humanitarian assistance to affected foreign countries, emergency preparedness, and grants for public health agencies and organizations. This bill required a three-fifths majority vote in the Senate.[34]	Passed (96-1)
Nay	Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2019   The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2019 (H.J.Res. 31) was a bill passed by the 116th Congress and signed into law by President Donald Trump on February 15, 2019, providing approrations for Fiscal Year 2019. This bill required a simple majority vote in the Senate.[35]	Passed (83-16)
Yea	John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act   The John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act (S. 47) was a bill passed by the 116th Congress and signed into law by President Doanld Trump on March 12, 2019. This bill sought to set provisions for federal land management and conservation by doing things such as conducting land exchanges and conveyances, establishing programs to respond to wildfires, and extending and reauthorizing wildlife conservation programs. This bill required a simple majority vote in the Senate.[36]	Passed (92-8)
Not Voting	William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (passage)   The William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (H.R. 6395) was a bill passed by the 116th Congress and vetoed by President Donald Trump on December 23, 2020. Congress voted to override Trump's veto, and the bill became law on January 1, 2021. The bill set Department of Defense policies and appropriations for Fiscal Year 2021. Trump vetoed the bill due to disagreement with provisions related to Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, the renaming of certain military installations, limits on emergency military construction fund usage, and limits on troop withdrawals. This bill required a simple majority vote in the Senate on passage, and a two-thirds majority vote to overcome the veto.[37]	Passed (84-13)
Yea	William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (overcoming veto)   The William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (H.R. 6395) was a bill passed by the 116th Congress and vetoed by President Donald Trump on December 23, 2020. Congress voted to override Trump's veto, and the bill became law on January 1, 2021. The bill set Department of Defense policies and appropriations for Fiscal Year 2021. Trump vetoed the bill due to disagreement with provisions related to Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, the renaming of certain military installations, limits on emergency military construction fund usage, and limits on troop withdrawals. This bill required a simple majority vote in the Senate on passage, and a two-thirds majority vote to overcome the veto.[38]	Passed (81-13)
Nay	Strengthening America's Security in the Middle East Act of 2019   The Strengthening America's Security in the Middle East Act of 2019 (S. 1) is a bill approved by the Senate that sought to address security in certain Middle Eastern countries by sending resources to Israel, extending defense cooperation in Jordan, establishing sanctions related to the conflict in Syria, and allowing states to divest from entities boycotting Israel. The bill required a simple majority vote in the Senate.[39]	Passed (77-23)
Not Voting	Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021 and Other Extensions Act   The Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021 and Other Extensions Act (H.R. 8337) was a bill passed by the 116th Congress and signed into law by President Donald Trump on October 1st, 2020, continuing appropriations to federal agencies for Fiscal Year 2021 as well as extending certain expiring programs that address issues such as health care, surface transportation, agriculture, and veterans benefits. This bill required a simple majority vote in the Senate.[40]	Passed (84-10)
Not Voting	Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020   The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 (H.R. 1158) was a bill passed by the 116th Congress and signed into law by President Donald Trump on December 20, 2019, providing appropriations for the 2020 Fiscal Year for federal agencies. This bill required a simple majority vote in the Senate.[41]	Passed (81-11)
Not Voting	Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2020, and Further Health Extenders Act of 2019   The Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2020, and Further Health Extenders Act of 2019 (H.R. 3055) was a bill passed by the 116th Congress and signed into law by President Donald Trump (R) on December 20, 2019, providing Fiscal Year 2020 appropriations to federal agencies through December 20, 2019 and extending certain programs and authorites that were set to expire. This bill prevented a government shutdown, and provided a pay raise for the military, repealed a revocation of state highway funding, and modified the United States Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund. This bill required a two-thirds majority vote in the Senate.[42]	Passed (74-20)
Yea	Never Forget the Heroes: James Zadroga, Ray Pfeifer, and Luis Alvarez Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act   The Never Forget the Heroes: James Zadroga, Ray Pfeifer, and Luis Alvarez Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act (H.R. 1327) was a bill passed by the 116th Congress and signed into law by President Donald Trump on July 29, 2019, providing funds for the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001. Key features of the bill included allowing claims to be filed until October 2090, removing the cap on noneconomic damages in certain circumstances, and periodically adjusting the annual limit on economic loss compensation for inflation. This bill required a simple majority vote from the Senate.[43]	Passed (97-2)
Guilty	Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors. (article 1)   The 2020 impeachment of Donald Trump (R) was a resolution before the 116th Congress to set forth two articles of impeachment saying that Trump abused his power and obstructed congress. The first article was related to allegations that Trump requested the Ukrainian government investigate former Vice President Joe Biden (D) and his son, Hunter Biden, in exchange for aid, and the second was related to Trump's response to the impeachment inquiry.The House of Representatives approved both articles of impeachment, and the Senate adjudged that Trump was not guilty of either charge. Conviction on the impeachment charges required a two-thirds majority vote in the Senate.[44]	Not Guilty (52-48)
Guilty	Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors. (article 2)   The 2020 impeachment of Donald Trump (R) was a resolution before the 116th Congress to set forth two articles of impeachment saying that Trump abused his power and obstructed congress. The first article was related to allegations that Trump requested the Ukrainian government investigate former Vice President Joe Biden (D) and his son, Hunter Biden, in exchange for aid, and the second was related to Trump's response to the impeachment inquiry.The House of Representatives approved both articles of impeachment, and the Senate adjudged that Trump was not guilty of either charge. Conviction on the impeachment charges required a two-thirds majority vote in the Senate.[45]	Not Guilty (53-47)
Nay	United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act   The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act (H.R. 5430) was a bill passed by the 116th Congress and signed into law by President Donald Trump (R) on October 21, 2020, establishing a trade agreement between the United States, Mexico, and Canada meant to replace the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) by establishing provisions such as labor and environment monitoring and enforcement, de minimis levels for U.S. exports, and cooperation among treaty members to prevent duty evasion. This bill required a simple majority vote in the Senate.[46]	Passed (89-10)
Yea	Pallone-Thune Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence Act   The Pallone-Thune Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence Act (S. 151) was a bill passed by the 116th Congress and signed into law by President Donald Trump (R) on December 30, 2019, setting forth rules to reduce criminal robot calls. Some key featues of the bill included requiring voice service providers to develop call authentication technologies, creating rules to protect a subscriber from receiving unwanted calls or texts from a caller using an unauthenticated number, and protecting individuals from one-ring scams. This bill required a simple majority vote in the Senate.[47]	Passed (97-1)
Not Voting	Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Humanitarian Assistance and Security at the Southern Border Act, 2019   The Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Humanitarian Assistance and Security at the Southern Border Act, 2019 (H.R. 3401) was a bill passed by the 116th Congress and signed into law by President Donald Trump (R) on July 1, 2019, providing emergency approprations for humanitarian assistance and security to respond to people attempting to enter the United States at the southern border. This bill required a three-fifths majority vote in the Senate.[48]	Passed (84-8)
Yea	Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act, 2019   The Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act, 2019 (H.R. 2157) was a bill passed by the 116th Congress and signed into law by President Donald Trump on June 6, 2019, providing approprations to certain federal departments in order to address expenses incured by recent natural disasters. This bill required a simple majority vote in the Senate.[49]	Passed (85-8)
Yea	Relating to a national emergency declared by the President on February 15, 2019.   H.J.Res.46 (Relating to a national emergency declared by the President on February 15, 2019.) was a resolution passed by the 116th Congress and vetoed by President Donald Trump (R). This resolution sought to terminate the national emergency related to the U.S.-Mexico border, declared by President Trump on February 15, 2019. The bill required a simple majority vote in the Senate.[50]	Passed (59-41)

Key votes: 115th Congress, 2017-2018

For detailed information about each vote, clickhere.

• Votes on domestic policy (click to expand)

  VotedYea on: First Step Act of 2018 (S 756)

   Motion Agreed to (87-12) on December 18, 2018

  Proposed making changes to the criminal justice system.^[51]

  VotedYea on: Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (HR 2)

   Conference Report Agreed to (87-13) on December 11, 2018

  Proposed providing funding for commodity support, conservation, trade and international food aid, nutrition assistance, farm credit, rural development, research and extension activities, forestry, horticulture, and crop insurance through fiscal year 2023.^[52]

  VotedNay on: "Brett M. Kavanaugh, of Maryland, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States" (PN2259)

   Nomination Confirmed (50-48) on October 6, 2018

  Brett M. Kavanaugh, of Maryland, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States^[53]

  VotedNay on: "Brett M. Kavanaugh, of Maryland, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States" (PN2259)

   Cloture Motion Agreed to (51-49) on October 5, 2018

  Brett M. Kavanaugh, of Maryland, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States^[54]

  VotedYea on: Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 (HR 2)

   Bill Passed (86-11, 3/5 majority required) on June 28, 2018

  Proposed providing funding for commodity support, conservation, trade and international food aid, nutrition assistance, farm credit, rural development, research and extension activities, forestry, horticulture, and crop insurance.^[55]

  VotedNay on: Immigration reform proposal from Sen. Chuck Grassley and the Trump administration (S Amdt 1959 to HR 2579)

   Cloture Motion Rejected (39-60, 3/5 majority required) on February 15, 2018

  Proposed providing a path to citizenship for 1.8 million individuals brought into the U.S. without legal permission as children, $25 billion for border security, limits on chain migration or family-based migration, and eliminating the visa lottery system.^[56]

  VotedNay on: Immigration reform proposal from the Common Sense Coalition (S Amdt 1958 to HR 2579)

   Cloture Motion Rejected (54-45, 3/5 majority required) on February 15, 2018

  Proposed providing a path to citizenship for individuals brought into the U.S. without legal permission as children, $25 billion for border security, and limitations on chain or family-based immigration.^[57]

  VotedNay on: Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act amendment (S Amdt 1948 to S Amdt 1959)

   Cloture Motion Rejected (54-45, 3/5 majority required) on February 15, 2018

  Proposed withholding funding from sanctuary jurisdictions for not cooperating with federal immigration officials.^[58]

  VotedYea on: Coons-McCain immigration plan (S Amdt 1955 to S Amdt 1958)

   Cloture Motion Rejected (52-47, 3/5 majority required) on February 15, 2018

  Proposed providing a path to citizenship for individuals brought into the U.S. without legal permission as children and conducting a study to determine what border security measures were needed. It also proposed requiring the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to secure the U.S.-Mexico border by 2021.^[59]

  VotedNay on: Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (S 2311)

   Cloture on the Motion to Proceed Rejected (51-46, 3/5 majority required) on January 29, 2018

  Proposed amending the federal criminal code to make it a crime for any person to perform or attempt to perform an abortion if the probable post-fertilization age of the fetus was 20 weeks or more. The bill proposed providing exceptions for an abortion: (1) that was necessary to save the life of the pregnant woman, or (2) when the pregnancy was the result of rape or incest.^[60]

  VotedNay on: An amendment to repeal the requirements for individuals to enroll in health insurance and for employers to offer it—"Skinny bill" (S Amdt 667 to S Amdt 267 to HR 1628 the American Health Care Act of 2017)

   Amendment Rejected (49-51) on July 28, 2017

  The amendment proposed repealing the requirements for individuals to enroll in health insurance and for employers to offer it.^[61]

  VotedNay on: An amendment to repeal the ACA, including Paul amendment (No. 271) (S Amdt 271 to S Amdt 267 to HR 1628)

   Amendment Rejected (45-55) on July 26, 2017

  An amendment to repeal the ACA, including Paul amendment (No. 271)^[62]

  VotedNay on: Motion to advance the Better Care Reconciliation Act of 2017, including Cruz and Portman amendments (S Amdt 270 to S Amdt 267 to HR 1628)

   Motion Rejected (43-57, 3/5 majority required) on July 25, 2017

  A procedural vote to advance the Better Care Reconciliation Act of 2017 (BCRA), including the Cruz and Portman amendments.^[63]

  VotedNay on: Motion to begin debate on the American Health Care Act of 2017 (HR 1628)

   Motion to Proceed Agreed to (50-50, Vice President voted Yea) on July 25, 2017

  Proposed providing for reconciliation pursuant to title II of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2017.^[64]

  VotedNay on: Neil M. Gorsuch, of Colorado, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States (PN55(4)—confirmation vote)

   Nomination Confirmed (54-45) on April 7, 2017

  Neil M. Gorsuch, of Colorado, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States—confirmation vote.^[65]

  VotedNay on: Neil M. Gorsuch, of Colorado, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States (PN55(3))

   Cloture Motion Agreed to (55-45) on April 6, 2017

  Neil M. Gorsuch, of Colorado, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States—second vote to end debate and move to a vote on Gorsuch's nomination under the new precedent requiring only a simple majority to pass.^[66]

  
  

  VotedYea on: Neil M. Gorsuch, of Colorado, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States (PN55(2))

   Decision of Chair Not Sustained (48-52) on April 6, 2017

  Neil M. Gorsuch, of Colorado, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States—a vote to keep the Senate precedent of requiring 60 votes to close debate on Supreme Court nominations.^[67]

  VotedNay on: Neil M. Gorsuch, of Colorado, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States (PN55)

   Cloture Motion Rejected (55-45, 3/5 majority required) on April 6, 2017

  Neil M. Gorsuch, of Colorado, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States—initial vote to end debate and move to a vote on Gorsuch's nomination.^[68]

• Votes on economic affairs and regulations (click to expand)

  VotedYea on: "Department of Defense and Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Act, 2019" (HR 6157)

   Conference Report Agreed to (93-7) on September 18, 2018

  Proposed authorizing FY2019 appropriations and policies for the Departments of Defense, Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor, and Education.^[69]

  VotedYea on: "Energy and Water, Legislative Branch, and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2019" (HR 5895)

   Conference Report Agreed to (92-5) on September 12, 2018

  Proposed authorizing FY2019 appropriations and policies for the Department of Energy, water resources, the legislative branch, military construction, and the Department of Veterans Affairs, among other programs.^[70]

  VotedYea on: "Department of Defense and Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Act, 2019" (HR 6157)

   Bill Passed (85-7) on August 23, 2018

  Proposed authorizing FY2019 appropriations and policies for the Departments of Defense, Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor, and Education.^[71]

  VotedYea on: "Energy and Water, Legislative Branch, and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2019" (HR 5895)

   Bill Passed (86-5) on June 25, 2018

  Proposed authorizing FY2019 appropriations and policies for the Department of Energy, water resources, the legislative branch, military construction, and the Department of Veterans Affairs, among other programs.^[72]

  VotedNay on: Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 1625)

   Motion Agreed to (65-32) on March 23, 2018

  Proposed providing appropriations for fiscal year 2018, and for other purposes.^[73]

  VotedNay on: The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (HR 1892)

   Motion Agreed to (71-28) on February 9, 2018

  Proposed providing further continuing appropriations through March 23, 2018^[74]

  VotedNay on: Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 695)

   Cloture Motion Rejected (55-44, 3/5 majority required) on February 8, 2018

  Proposed providing further continuing appropriations through March 23, 2018.^[75]

  VotedNay on: Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 195)

   Motion Agreed to (81-18) on January 22, 2018

  Proposed providing further continuing appropriations through February 8, 2018.^[76]

  VotedNay on: Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 195)

   Cloture Motion Agreed to (81-18, 3/5 majority required) on January 22, 2018

  Proposed providing further continuing appropriations through February 8, 2018.^[77]

  VotedNay on: Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 195)

   Cloture Motion Rejected (50-49, 3/5 majority required) on January 19, 2018

  Proposed providing further continuing appropriations through January 19, 2018.^[78]

  VotedNay on: Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 1370)

   Motion Agreed to (66-32, 3/5 majority required) on December 21, 2017

  Proposed providing further continuing appropriations through January 19, 2018.^[79]

  VotedNay on: Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (HR 1)

   Motion Agreed to (51-48) on December 20, 2017

  Proposed providing for reconciliation pursuant to titles II and V of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2018 and proposed changes to the tax code.^[80]

  VotedNay on: "A joint resolution making further continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2018, and for other purposes." (HJ Res 123)

   Joint Resolution Passed (81-14) on December 7, 2017

  Proposed funding the government until December 22, 2017.^[81]

  VotedNay on: Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (HR 1)

   Bill Passed (51-49) on December 2, 2017

  Proposed amending the Internal Revenue Code to reduce tax rates and modify policies, credits, and deductions for individuals and businesses.^[82]

  VotedNay on: A concurrent resolution establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2018 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2019 through 2027. (H Con Res 71)

   Concurrent Resolution Agreed to (51-49) on October 19, 2017

  Proposed establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2018 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2019 through 2027.^[83]

  VotedYea on: Disaster Relief Appropriations Act, 2017 (Included amendments to suspend the debt ceiling and fund the government) (HR 601)

   Motion Agreed to (80-17) on September 7, 2017

  Proposed suspending the debt ceiling and funding the government until December 8, 2017, and providing funding for Hurricanes Harvey and Irma relief efforts.^[84]

  VotedYea on: Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2017 (HR 244)

   Motion Agreed to (79-18) on May 4, 2017

  The $1.2 trillion budget bill proposed funding the government through the end of the fiscal year on September 30, 2017.^[85]

• Votes on foreign policy and national security issues (click to expand)

  VotedYea on: "A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities in the Republic of Yemen that have not been authorized by Congress." (SJ Res 54)

   Joint Resolution Passed (56-41) on December 13, 2018

  Proposed removing United States Armed Forces from hostilities in the Republic of Yemen that were not authorized by Congress.^[86]

  VotedYea on: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (HR 2810)

   Bill Passed (89-8) on September 18, 2017

  Proposed authorizing appropriations for fiscal year 2018 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, and to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes. On November 15, 2017, the Senate passed the defense policy bill by voice vote. This bill was the result of compromises made in the conference report. For more information on the compromise bill,click here.^[87][88]

  VotedYea on: Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (HR 3364)

   Bill Passed (98-2) on July 27, 2017

  Proposed providing congressional review and proposed countering aggression by the governments of Iran, the Russian Federation, and North Korea, and for other purposes.^[89]

  VotedYea on: Countering Iran's Destabilizing Activities Act of 2017 (S 722)

   Bill Passed (98-2) on June 15, 2017

  Proposed providing congressional review and proposed countering aggression by the governments of Iran, the Russian Federation, and North Korea, and for other purposes.^[90]

Elections

2024

Presidency

Harris officially announced her candidacy for the 2024 presidential election on July 21, 2024, following PresidentJoe Biden's (D) withdrawal from the race.^[91] Harris won the Democratic presidential nomination on August 2. She selected Minnesota GovernorTim Walz (D) as her running mate on August 6.^[92]

Click the links below to read more about the 2024 presidential election:

• Kamala Harris presidential campaign, 2024
• Presidential candidates, 2024
• Democratic presidential nomination, 2024
• Republican presidential nomination, 2024

Harris in the news

See also:Editorial approach to story selection for presidential election news events

This section features up to five recent news stories about Harris and her presidential campaign. For a complete timeline of Harris' campaign activity,click here.

• November 4, 2024: Harris held rallies inAllentown,Pittsburgh, andPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania.^[93][94]
• November 3, 2024: Harris held a rally inEast Lansing, Michigan.^[95]
• November 2, 2024:
  • Harris held rallies inAtlanta, Georgia, andCharlotte, North Carolina.^[96][97]
  • Harris made an appearance onSaturday Night Live inNew York City.^[98]
• November 1, 2024: Harris held rallies inJanesville,Little Chute, andMilwaukee, Wisconsin.^{[99][100][101]}}}
• October 31, 2024: Harris held rallies inPhoenix, Arizona,Reno, Nevada, andLas Vegas, Nevada.^{[102][103][104]}

Vice presidency

Joe Biden (D) announced he would run for re-election with Harris as his running mate on April 25, 2023. Biden withdrew from the presidential race on July 21, 2024, and Harris announced she would seek the presidential nomination the same day.^[105][106]

2020

Vice presidency

See also:Presidential election, 2020,Democratic National Convention, 2020, andVice presidential candidates, 2020

Sen.Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) was elected vice president of the United States on November 3, 2020. She received 306electoral votes in the Electoral College on December 14, 2020, along with former Vice PresidentJoe Biden on the Democratic presidential ticket.^[107]

Presidential election, 2020

		Candidate/Running mate	%	Popular votes	Electoral votes
✔		Joe Biden/Kamala D. Harris (D)	51.3	81,282,632	306
		Donald Trump/Mike Pence (R)	46.9	74,223,234	232
		Jo Jorgensen/Spike Cohen (L)	1.2	1,864,873	0
		Howie Hawkins/Angela Nicole Walker (G)	0.3	402,795	0
		Roque De La Fuente (multiple running mates) (Alliance Party)	0.1	88,214	0
		Gloria La Riva (multiple running mates) (Party for Socialism and Liberation)	0.1	84,905	0
		Ye/Michelle Tidball (Independent)	0.0	67,906	0
		Don Blankenship/William Mohr (Constitution Party)	0.0	59,924	0
		Brock Pierce/Karla Ballard (Independent)	0.0	49,764	0
		Brian T. Carroll/Amar Patel (American Solidarity Party)	0.0	35,260	0
		Alyson Kennedy/Malcolm Jarrett (Socialist Workers Party)	0.0	6,791	0
		Bill Hammons/Eric Bodenstab (Unity Party)	0.0	6,647	0
		Jade Simmons (multiple running mates) (Independent)	0.0	6,534	0
		Jerry Segal/John de Graaf (Bread and Roses)	0.0	5,949	0
		Dario David Hunter/Dawn Neptune Adams (Progressive Party)	0.0	5,394	0
		Phil Collins/Billy Joe Parker (Prohibition Party)	0.0	4,844	0
		Jesse Ventura/Cynthia McKinney (Green Party of Alaska)	0.0	3,284	0
		President Boddie/Eric Stoneham (C.U.P.)	0.0	3,171	0
		Joe McHugh/Elizabeth Storm (Independent)	0.0	2,843	0
		Mark Charles/Adrian Wallace (Independent)	0.0	2,662	0
		Sheila Tittle (multiple running mates) (Independent)	0.0	1,806	0
		Connie Gammon/Phil Collins (Independent)	0.0	1,475	0
		J.R. Myers/Tiara Lusk (Life and Liberty)	0.0	1,372	0
		Tom Hoefling/Andy Prior (Independent)	0.0	1,241	0
		H. Brooke Paige/Thomas Witman (Grumpy Old Patriots)	0.0	1,175	0
		Christopher Lafontaine/Michael Speed (Independent)	0.0	856	0
		Kyle Kenley Kopitke (multiple running mates) (Independent)	0.0	815	0
		Ricki Sue King/Dayna Chandler (Genealogy Know Your Family History Party)	0.0	546	0
		Princess Khadijah Maryam Jacob-Fambro/Khadijah Maryam Jacob Sr. (Independent)	0.0	497	0
		Blake Huber/Frank Atwood (Approval Voting Party)	0.0	409	0
		Joseph Kishore/Norissa Santa Cruz (Socialist Equality Party)	0.0	317	0
		Richard Duncan/Mitch Bupp (Independent)	0.0	213	0
		Jordan Marc Scott/Jennifer Tepool (Independent)	0.0	175	0
		Gary Swing/David Olszta (Boiling Frog)	0.0	141	0
		Keith McCormic/Sam Blasiak (Bull Moose)	0.0	126	0
		Zachary Scalf/Matthew Lyda (Independent)	0.0	29	0
		Other write-in votes	0.1	183,207	0

---

Incumbents arebolded and underlined The results have been certified.

Total votes: 158,402,026 0 states have not been called.

Former Vice PresidentJoe Biden (D) selected Harris as his running mate on August 11, 2020.

I have the great honor to announce that I’ve picked@KamalaHarris — a fearless fighter for the little guy, and one of the country’s finest public servants — as my running mate.

— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden)August 11, 2020

Presidency

See also:Presidential candidates, 2020

Former Vice PresidentJoe Biden (D) won thepresidential election on November 3, 2020. Biden received 306electoral votes and PresidentDonald Trump (R) received 232 electoral votes. In the national popular vote, Biden received 81.2 million votes and Trump received 74.2 million votes.

Harris announced she was running for president on January 21, 2019.^[11] She suspended her presidential campaign on December 3, 2019.^[12]

Ballotpedia compiled the following resources about Harris and the 2020 presidential election:

• Recent news stories about the 2020 presidential election;
• An overview of keynational and state campaign staffers;
• Endorsements from politicians, public figures, and organizations;
• An overview ofcandidate campaign travel; and
• A list of other presidential candidates who ran for election.

Click here for Harris' 2020 presidential campaign overview.

2016

See also:United States Senate election in California, 2016

Heading into the election, BallotpediaratedCalifornia's U.S. Senate race as safely Democratic. California's U.S. Senate seat was open following the retirement of incumbentBarbara Boxer (D). Thirty-four candidates filed to run to replace Boxer, including seven Democrats, 12 Republicans, and 15 third-party candidates. Two Democrats,Kamala Harris andLoretta Sanchez, defeated the other 32 candidates to advance to the general election. Harris won the general election.^[108][109]

U.S. Senate, California General Election, 2016

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Kamala Harris	61.6%	7,542,753
	Democratic	Loretta Sanchez	38.4%	4,710,417
Total Votes				12,253,170
Source:California Secretary of State

U.S. Senate, California Primary, 2016

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Kamala Harris	40.2%	3,000,689
	Democratic	Loretta Sanchez	19%	1,416,203
	Republican	Duf Sundheim	7.8%	584,251
	Republican	Phil Wyman	4.7%	352,821
	Republican	Tom Del Beccaro	4.3%	323,614
	Republican	Greg Conlon	3.1%	230,944
	Democratic	Steve Stokes	2.3%	168,805
	Republican	George Yang	1.5%	112,055
	Republican	Karen Roseberry	1.5%	110,557
	Republican	Tom Palzer	1.2%	93,263
	Libertarian	Gail Lightfoot	1.3%	99,761
	Republican	Ron Unz	1.2%	92,325
	Democratic	Massie Munroe	0.8%	61,271
	Green	Pamela Elizondo	1.3%	95,677
	Republican	Don Krampe	0.9%	69,635
	Republican	Jarrell Williamson	0.9%	64,120
	Independent	Elanor Garcia	0.9%	65,084
	Republican	Von Hougo	0.9%	63,609
	Democratic	President Cristina Grappo	0.8%	63,330
	Republican	Jerry Laws	0.7%	53,023
	Libertarian	Mark Matthew Herd	0.6%	41,344
	Independent	Ling Ling Shi	0.5%	35,196
	Peace and Freedom	John Parker	0.3%	22,374
	Democratic	Herbert Peters	0.4%	32,638
	Democratic	Emory Rodgers	0.4%	31,485
	Independent	Mike Beitiks	0.4%	31,450
	Independent	Clive Grey	0.4%	29,418
	Independent	Jason Hanania	0.4%	27,715
	Independent	Paul Merritt	0.3%	24,031
	Independent	Jason Kraus	0.3%	19,318
	Independent	Don Grundmann	0.2%	15,317
	Independent	Scott Vineberg	0.2%	11,843
	Independent	Tim Gildersleeve	0.1%	9,798
	Independent	Gar Myers	0.1%	8,726
Total Votes				7,461,690
Source:California Secretary of State

2014

See also:State executive official elections, 2014

Harris won re-election to the office ofstate attorney general in2014.^[110]

Results

Primary election

Attorney General of California, Blanket Primary, 2014
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Kamala HarrisIncumbent	53.2%	2,177,480
	Republican	Ronald Gold	12.3%	504,091
	Republican	Phil Wyman	11.7%	479,468
	Republican	David King	9%	368,190
	Republican	John Haggerty	8.2%	336,433
	Nonpartisan	Orly Taitz	3.2%	130,451
	Libertarian	Jonathan Jaech	2.4%	99,056
Total Votes				4,095,169
Election results viaCalifornia Secretary of State

General election

Attorney General of California, 2014
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Kamala HarrisIncumbent	57.5%	4,102,649
	Republican	Ronald Gold	42.5%	3,033,476
Total Votes				7,136,125
Election results viaCalifornia Secretary of State

2010

See also:California Attorney General election, 2010

Kamala Harris forCalifornia Attorney General 2010 Campaign logo

Campaign themes

2016

The following issues were listed on Harris' campaign website. For a full list of campaign themes,click here.

Campaign finance summary

Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf.Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at theFEC website. Clickhere for more on federal campaign finance law andhere for more on state campaign finance law.

Notable endorsements

See also:Endorsements by Kamala Harris

The table below shows data on endorsements made by Kamala Harris. Endorsements include official statements, appearances at campaign rallies, and direct participation in campaign ads and materials. For more information about endorsements in a particular year,click here.

Ballot measure activity

The following table details Kamala Harris' ballot measure stances available on Ballotpedia:

Ballot measure support and opposition for Kamala Harris
Ballot measure	Year	Position	Status
California Proposition 15, Tax on Commercial and Industrial Properties for Education and Local Government Funding Initiative (2020)	2020	Supported[114]
California Proposition 17, Voting Rights Restoration for Persons on Parole Amendment (2020)	2020	Supported[115]	a Approved
California Proposition 22, App-Based Drivers as Contractors and Labor Policies Initiative (2020)	2020	Opposed[116]	a/ot Approved
Los Angeles Unified School District, California, Measure EE, Parcel Tax (June 2019)	2019	Supported[117]	d Defeated
California Proposition 59, Overturn of Citizens United Act Advisory Question (2016)	2016	Supported[118]	a Approved
California Proposition 19, Marijuana Legalization Initiative (2010)	2010	Opposed[119]	d Defeated
San Francisco Decriminalization of Prostitution, Measure K (November 2008)	2008	Opposed[120]	d Defeated
California Proposition 66, Changes in the "Three Strikes" Law (2004)	2004	Opposed[121]	d Defeated

Noteworthy events

Criticism ofJoe Biden (D) during Democratic primary debate (2019)

During thefirst Democratic primary debate of the 2020 presidential election cycle, Harris criticized Biden’s decision to oppose mandatory busing in the 1970s.^{[122][123][124]} Harris said, “There was a little girl in California who was part of the second class to integrate her public schools, and she was bused to school every day. And that little girl was me.”^[125] Following the debate, Harris raised $2 million in campaign funds in just 24 hours.^[126] Her polling numbers improved by 9%, while Biden’s fell to 10% according to a CNN poll.^[127] Harris withdrew from the race six months later citing finances as one of the reasons.^[128]

Possible 2016 SCOTUS nominee

See also:Process to fill the vacated seat of Justice Antonin Scalia

Prior to PresidentBarack Obama's nomination ofMerrick Garland, Harris was mentioned as apossible nominee to replace formerUnited States Supreme Court JusticeAntonin Scalia, who died on February 13, 2016.^[129]

Possible 2016 Democratic vice presidential candidate

See also:Possible vice presidential picks, 2016

Harris was mentioned as apossible Democratic vice presidential candidate. On July 22, 2016,Hillary Clinton announced that she had selected U.S. Sen.Tim Kaine (D-Va.) as her running mate.^[130]

Refusal to enforce California's Proposition 8 (2011)

As California attorney general, Harris did not enforceProposition 8, a ballot measure passed in California in 2008 making same-sex weddings illegal.^[131] She said, “I declined to defend Proposition 8 because it violates the Constitution. The Supreme Court has described marriage as a fundamental right 14 times since 1888.”^[132] The Ninth Circuit found the measure unconstitutional in 2013, making same-sex marriage in California legal. Harris officiated the first same-sex wedding in California.^[133]

Successful appeal of ruling abolishing death penalty (2011)

In 2011, as state attorney general, Harris successfully appealed a ruling that abolished the death penalty in California.^{[134][135][133]} As a result, the death penalty was reinstated in the state until Gov.Gavin Newsom (D) signed an executive order ending the practice in 2019.^[134] As attorney general, she also declined to support two ballot measures that would have ended the death penalty.^[136][137]

While San Francisco district attorney, Harris received criticism for not seeking the death penalty against David Hill in 2004. Hill was convicted of killing San Francisco police officer Isaac Espinoza.^[134][138] Hill was eligible for the death penalty under a 1973 special circumstances law allowing the death penalty to be sought in the murder of a police officer.^[134] SenatorDianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) criticized Harris' decision in a eulogy at Espinoza's funeral while Harris was in attendance.^{[134][136][135]}

Truancy reduction initiative (2006)

In 2006, as district attorney, Harris led an effort to reduce truancy in San Francisco which included possible jail time for parents of chronically truant students.^[125] After the initiative began, truancy fell by over 30%, and no parents in San Francisco served any jail time.^[139] The program included multiple steps aimed at education and intervention to help parents improve their child’s school attendance prior to possible imprisonment.^[140] Harris said she supported the program because 94% of homicide victims under the age of 25 were high school dropouts.^[139] In 2010, Harris sponsored a law to expand the program state-wide, making chronic truancy a criminal misdemeanor.^[125] The state-wide program resulted in jail time for some parents.^[140]

Recent news

The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the termsKamala Harris California Senate. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.

See also

• United States Senate
• United States Senate election in California, 2016
• Presidential election, 2020
• Presidential candidates, 2020
• Vice presidential candidates, 2020

External links

Suggest a link

• Campaign website
• Kamala Harris' Facebook profile
• Kamala Harris' Twitter account
• Project Vote Smart - Kamala Harris biography
• Campaign contributions:2012,2010

Footnotes

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