(CUBNSC)- Democrats owe a great deal to Vice President Kamala Harris, who currently holds the record for the most tie-breaking votes cast in U.S. Senate history. Indeed, Vice President Kamala Harris (D) has cast 33 tie-breaking votes in the U.S. Senate, an achievement that underscores her significant role in legislative decisions.
Under Article I, Section 3, Clause 4 of the U.S. Constitution, the vice president of the United States also serves as the president of the Senate. In this capacity, the vice president may cast the deciding vote when there is a tie in the Senate.
Historically, John Adams cast the first tie-breaking vote on July 18, 1789. As of December 5, 2023, there have been 301 tie-breaking votes from 37 vice presidents. Kamala Harris (D) has cast the most tie-breaking votes (33) during her tenure as vice president, surpassing John C. Calhoun (31) and John Adams (29).
Twelve vice presidents, including Joe Biden and Dan Quayle, never cast a tie-breaking vote during their time in office.
Key Legislation Influenced by Harris’s Tie-Breaking Votes
Republicans are particularly accustomed to wielding influence via the Supreme Court and are at a significant disadvantage with Harris, a former prosecutor, positioned to break ties in the Senate. For those on the left who remain undecided about Kamala Harris, her voting record provides substantial evidence of her impact on American legislative progress.
Republicans often resort to attacking figures like Harris, employing historically rooted racism and sexism to appeal to their base. However, the facts are clear: Harris’s decisive votes have shaped critical legislation that affects Americans’ daily lives. For further information, you can review the details of each of these votes and their benefits to the public.
December 5, 2023: Harris broke the tie to invoke cloture and approve the nomination of Loren L. AliKhan to be United States District Judge for the District of Columbia, marking her 32nd and 33rd tie-breaking votes.
July 12, 2023: Harris broke the tie to invoke cloture on the nomination of Kalpana Kotagal to be a member of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
March 1, 2023: Harris broke the tie to approve the nomination of Margaret R. Guzman to be United States District Judge for the District of Massachusetts.
August 7, 2022: Harris broke the tie to pass the Inflation Reduction Act and an amendment to the Act.
March 4, 2021: The Senate voted 50-50 on a motion to proceed with debate on the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Harris broke the tie to affirm the motion.
February 5, 2021: The Senate voted 50-50 to adopt a budget resolution relating to COVID-19 economic relief. Harris broke the tie to adopt the resolution.
The Importance of a Politician's Voting Record
A politician's voting record is a vital tool for accountability and transparency, providing insight into their principles and consistency. It shapes legislation and policy, influencing social and economic conditions. During elections, voting records are scrutinized to assess alignment with voters' values, affecting support and campaign dynamics.
Within their party, a politician's votes reveal loyalty and potential for leadership roles, while also indicating their capacity for bipartisanship. Over time, these records contribute to their legacy and impact historical policy shifts. Media and public scrutiny of voting records further shapes perception and civic engagement.
In essence, a politician’s voting record is a cornerstone of their career, reflecting their influence, integrity, and legacy, and it plays a critical role in the democratic process.
In 2019, during Kamala Harris's presidential campaign, accusations surfaced claiming she was responsible for the incarceration of thousands of Black individuals for nonviolent marijuana offenses.
Specifically, it was alleged that she incarcerated over 1,500 people for marijuana violations and laughed about it when asked if she had ever smoked marijuana. However, this narrative is misleading.
The number 1,500 originated from a Washington Free Beacon article, which stated that 1,560 people were jailed in California between 2011 and 2016 for nonviolent marijuana convictions during Harris's tenure as California Attorney General (AG). This article cited data from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). When contacted, the CDCR clarified that this data pertained to all inmates, without specifying ethnicity or gender.
Additionally, the proportion of Black males in jail remained roughly the same before and after Harris's term as AG. To better understand Harris's stance on nonviolent marijuana offenses, her tenure as San Francisco District Attorney (DA) from 2004 to 2010 is notable. During this period, there were 1,956 marijuana convictions, with only 45 resulting in jail time. Furthermore, Harris has supported the Biden-Harris administration's efforts to pardon federal marijuana convictions and reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous substance.
While this data may not entirely vindicate Harris, it is essential to assess her record comprehensively and accurately.
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