Jonah Patel
Kamala Devi Harris, born in Oakland, California, on October 20, 1964, served as the junior US senator from California from 2017 to 2021. She was the second Black woman and the first South Asian American to hold the office of US senator. Harris's career in politics began after she earned an undergraduate degree from Howard University and a law degree from the University of California, after which she joined the Alameda County District Attorney's Office.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Timeframe as senator | 2017 to 2021 |
| Party affiliation | Democratic Party |
| Previous experience | District Attorney of San Francisco, Attorney General of California |
| Notable achievements | Second Black woman and first South Asian-American U.S. senator |
| Policy advocacy | Stricter gun control laws, DREAM Act, federal legalization of cannabis, healthcare and taxation reforms |
| Presidential ambitions | Sought Democratic nomination in 2019 and 2024 |
| Vice-presidential selection | Chosen as Joe Biden's running mate in 2020 |
| Electoral results | Lost the 2024 presidential election to Donald Trump |
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What You'll Learn
Kamala Harris was the junior US senator from California from 2017 to 2021
Kamala Harris, the first African-American and South Asian-American woman to serve as California's attorney general, was sworn in as a United States Senator for California in 2017. She served in this role until 2021. Harris is a member of the Democratic Party and is known for her advocacy for stricter gun control laws, the DREAM Act, federal legalization of cannabis, and reforms to healthcare and taxation. She gained a national profile while asking pointed questions of officials in the Trump administration during Senate hearings.
Harris was born in Oakland, California, in 1964. She began her career in the Alameda County District Attorney's Office, and in 2003, she became the District Attorney of the City and County of San Francisco. She served two terms in this position before being elected as California's attorney general in 2010, becoming the first woman, African American, and South Asian American to hold this office.
In 2016, Harris won the Senate election to become the junior US senator from California, serving from 2017 to 2021. During her time in the Senate, Harris was a prominent figure, receiving bicameral support on more bills than any other member of her Senate class and having the most co-sponsors on her bills. She was also the second Black woman and the first South Asian American to serve in the US Senate.
In 2019, Harris sought the Democratic nomination for president but withdrew from the race before the primaries. However, in 2020, she was chosen by then-presidential candidate Joe Biden to be his running mate. They won the election, and Harris became the Vice President of the United States, serving under President Joe Biden.
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Harris was the second Black woman and first South Asian American US senator
Kamala Harris, the current Vice President of the United States, has had a notable career in politics. She was born in Oakland, California, in 1964. Her mother, Shyamala Gopalan, was a biologist who immigrated to the United States from India in 1958. Her father, Donald J. Harris, is an Afro-Jamaican immigrant who came to the United States in 1961.
Harris's political career began in the Alameda County District Attorney's Office, where she worked in the San Francisco District Attorney's Office and later in the office of the city attorney of San Francisco. In 2003, she was elected District Attorney of San Francisco, and in 2010, she became the first woman, the first African American, and the first South Asian American to be elected Attorney General of California.
In 2017, Harris made history again as the second Black woman and first South Asian American to serve as a United States Senator. She represented California in the Senate from 2017 to 2021, after winning the 2016 Senate election. During her time as a senator, she advocated for stricter gun control laws, the DREAM Act, federal legalization of cannabis, and reforms to healthcare and taxation. Harris gained a national profile for her pointed questioning of officials in the Trump administration during Senate hearings, including Trump's second Supreme Court nominee, Brett Kavanaugh.
In addition to her legislative work, Harris has authored several books, including "Smart on Crime: A Career Prosecutor's Plan to Make Us Safer" and "The Truths We Hold: An American Journey." She has also co-sponsored numerous bills and received bicameral support on more measures than any other member of her Senate class.
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She was a senator from the Democratic Party
Kamala Harris served as a United States Senator from California from 2017 to 2021. A member of the Democratic Party, she was the second African American woman and the first South Asian American to serve in the Senate. Harris's tenure as a senator was marked by her advocacy for progressive causes and her commitment to holding government officials accountable.
Harris was elected to the Senate in 2016, defeating fellow Democratic Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez in the general election. She succeeded retiring Democratic Senator Barbara Boxer, who served for 24 years. During her campaign, Harris emphasized her experience as a prosecutor and her commitment to criminal justice reform, a key issue that helped galvanize support for her among progressive voters.
As a senator, Harris quickly established herself as a prominent voice for Democratic values and progressive policies. She was an early supporter of Medicare-for-all and sponsored legislation to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour. Harris also introduced the Equality Act, a bill that sought to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Additionally, she played a key role in opposing many of President Donald Trump's policies and nominees, notably serving on the Judiciary Committee during the contentious confirmation hearings for Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.
Harris's background as a prosecutor and her tough stance on criminal justice issues sometimes put her at odds with more progressive members of her party. Nonetheless, she worked to reform the criminal justice system, sponsoring the Reverse Mass Incarceration Act, which aimed to incentivize states to reduce incarceration rates and invest in community-based programs. Harris also introduced the Justice in Policing Act, a comprehensive bill addressing police reform and accountability, in the wake of nationwide protests following the killing of George Floyd.
During her time in the Senate, Harris also gained recognition for her pointed questioning of Trump administration officials during congressional hearings. She was praised for her sharp and direct approach, particularly during the confirmation hearings for Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Her line of questioning often focused on issues of civil rights, voting rights, and the integrity of the justice system.
Kamala Harris's tenure as a senator from the Democratic Party was marked by her unwavering commitment to progressive values, criminal justice reform, and holding those in power accountable. Her time in the Senate solidified her reputation as a formidable politician and helped pave the way for her historic vice-presidential nomination.
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Harris was a co-sponsor of the Green New Deal
Kamala Harris served as a senator from 2017 to 2021. During her tenure, she advocated for stricter gun control laws, the DREAM Act, federal legalization of cannabis, and reforms to healthcare and taxation. Harris also supported the Green New Deal, a proposal for transitioning to 100% clean energy within a decade.
Harris's backing of the Green New Deal is notable given her subsequent shift towards promoting domestic oil drilling. As Vice President, she has defended the Biden-Harris administration's record on increasing domestic oil production, citing the need to reduce reliance on foreign oil. This shift has surprised supporters and critics alike, particularly given her previous stance on climate change.
Harris has attempted to reconcile these seemingly contradictory positions by pointing to her work on the Inflation Reduction Act, which allocated significant funding for renewable energy projects. She has emphasized her belief in the urgency of the climate crisis and her commitment to holding herself and others accountable through deadlines. Nonetheless, some young voters and climate activists have expressed disappointment in Harris's failure to present a comprehensive plan for addressing climate change and her limited focus on clean energy during her campaign.
Despite the criticism, Harris's support for the Green New Deal as a senator, along with her other efforts to address climate change, have earned her endorsements from environmental groups and young activists. They view her as a potential ally in the fight against climate change and a stark contrast to Republican contenders, such as Donald Trump, who have rolled back environmental protections.
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She advocated for stricter gun control laws
Kamala Harris was the junior US senator from California from 2017 to 2021. During her tenure, she advocated for stricter gun control laws. Notably, Harris herself is a gun owner, a fact that she has highlighted to stake out her position on firearms control.
Harris has expressed support for more thorough background checks and so-called red-flag laws, which allow people to apply to a judge to confiscate another person's gun if they are deemed to be a risk to themselves or others. She has also voiced her willingness to use her gun if an intruder entered her home, stating that anyone breaking into her home is "getting shot".
In addition to her support for red-flag laws, Harris has proposed banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. She has referred to the AR-15-style rifle as an "assault weapon" and has supported initiatives to take these weapons off the streets. However, she has dropped her previous support for a buyback program for assault weapons, acknowledging the challenges of effectively curbing gun violence through such initiatives.
Harris has also taken a stance on the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA). She is comfortable with repealing this bipartisan legislation, despite potential legal and financial implications. Her position aligns with her support for stricter gun control measures and her commitment to reducing gun violence in America.
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Frequently asked questions
Kamala Harris was sworn in as a senator in 2017.
Kamala Harris was a senator for California.
Kamala Harris is a member of the Democratic Party.
Before becoming a senator, Kamala Harris was the attorney general of California.
