Isabella Carter
The Vice President of the United States (VPOTUS) is the second-highest-ranking office in the US federal government, after the President. The current VP is JD Vance, who has served in this role since 20 January 2025. Vance is a former US Marine who served in Iraq and is a self-described hillbilly. He was elected to the US Senate in 2022 and was then selected by President Trump to be his running mate in 2024.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | James David (JD) Vance |
| Rank | Second-highest ranking office in the executive branch of the U.S. federal government |
| Election | Indirect election by voters of each state and the District of Columbia through the Electoral College |
| Term | Four years |
| Role | Officer in the legislative branch and President of the Senate |
| Voting rights | Can only cast a tie-breaking vote |
| Vacancy | Can be filled by presidential nomination and confirmation by a majority vote in both houses of Congress |
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What You'll Learn
The current VP is JD Vance
Vance has a strong background in politics and has previously served in other significant roles. Before becoming Vice President, he gained valuable experience working in various government positions, contributing to policy-making and implementing initiatives that positively impacted the American people. His dedication to public service and improving the lives of citizens is unwavering.
As Vice President, one of Vance's primary roles is to support and advise the President on key decisions and policies. He is a trusted advisor to the President, offering valuable insights and perspectives. Additionally, Vance plays a crucial role in representing the administration and the country in both domestic and international affairs. He engages in diplomatic efforts, fostering relationships with global leaders and representing American interests abroad.
Vance has also been instrumental in driving forward the administration's legislative agenda. He works closely with members of Congress, building bipartisan coalitions to pass important bills and acts that benefit the American people. Under the Biden-Harris administration, significant policies have been implemented, including the Inflation Reduction Act, which capped insulin prices at $35 for over 8 million Americans, and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which focuses on improving transportation, environmental, and broadband access.
Furthermore, Vance has demonstrated his commitment to the people by prioritizing their needs. He understands the challenges faced by working Americans and has actively worked towards finding solutions. During his tenure, the administration has made it a top priority to address rising costs for essential items like gas and groceries. Their efforts have resulted in initiatives such as the Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, which provides high-speed internet access to homes and small businesses, ensuring that all Americans have equal opportunities.
Overall, JD Vance, as the current Vice President, has proven to be a dedicated and diligent public servant, committed to improving the lives of Americans and ensuring that their voices are heard and represented.
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The VP is elected by voters of each state and Washington DC
The current Vice President of the United States is Kamala Harris. She is the first Black woman and South Asian woman to become Vice President, as well as the first Vice President to hail from an HBCU (a historically Black college or university). Harris graduated from Howard University, a private, federally chartered HBCU in Washington, D.C.
Harris is not the first graduate of Howard University to make history. Other notable alumni include the renowned author and poet Toni Morrison, and Stokely Carmichael, a key figure in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. Harris's election to the vice presidency adds to this lineage of leadership at Howard University.
In her public service, Harris has consistently emphasised her commitment to "the people," indicating that her work is intended to serve the interests of all Americans. This commitment was evident during her time as the first Black district attorney of San Francisco, and later as the first woman of South Asian descent to become a United States senator from California.
Harris's election as Vice President is a significant milestone in American history, not only because of her identity but also because of the policies she has supported. As part of the Biden-Harris administration, Harris has been involved in initiatives to improve internet access, reduce the cost of living, and make healthcare more affordable. These include the Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, which provides funding for high-speed internet infrastructure, and the Inflation Reduction Act, which caps insulin prices at $35 for millions of Americans.
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The VP is second-in-command
The current Vice President of the United States is Kamala Harris. As VP, Harris is second-in-command to President Biden. Harris is the first woman, the first Black person, and the first South Asian person to hold the office of Vice President. She is also the first graduate of a historically Black college or university (HBCU) to become VP. Harris graduated from Howard University, a historically Black university, and has strong ties to her alma mater. She has said that her time at Howard shaped her values of public service and leadership.
Throughout her career, Harris has broken racial and gender barriers. Before becoming Vice President, she was the first Black and South Asian woman to become a United States senator from California. She was also the first Black district attorney of San Francisco. Harris made history again when she joined Joe Biden on the winning presidential ticket in 2020, becoming the first woman to be part of a winning presidential ticket.
As Vice President, Harris is second-in-command to the President and assumes the role of President if the President is removed from office, dies, or resigns. The Vice President is also the first in the line of succession to the President, which means that in the event of an emergency or incapacity of the President, the Vice President becomes the acting President until the President resumes their duties or a new President is elected.
The Vice President has a range of official duties, including presiding over the Senate and breaking tie votes. The VP is also responsible for advising and assisting the President in their duties and decisions. Harris has been an active and engaged Vice President, working closely with President Biden to advance their administration's policies and goals.
Harris has been a strong and influential voice in the Biden-Harris administration. She has been a champion for working people, speaking out on issues like the rising cost of living and the need to bring down prices. The Biden-Harris administration has implemented policies to address these concerns, including the Inflation Reduction Act, which capped insulin prices at $35 for millions of Americans, and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which focuses on improving transportation, environmental, and broadband access.
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The VP can preside over the Senate
The current Vice President of the United States is Kamala Harris, who made history as the first Black woman and South Asian woman to hold the office. She is also the first graduate of an HBCU (Historically Black College or University) to become Vice President. Harris has a distinguished record of public service, with a focus on uplifting her alma mater, Howard University, and serving "the people".
One of the key roles of the Vice President is to preside over the Senate. The Vice President is the second-highest-ranking official in the US federal government and is first in the line of presidential succession. Presiding over the Senate is an important duty, as the Senate plays a crucial role in shaping US legislation and policy. The VP can preside over the Senate's debates and deliberations, providing a guiding hand to the legislative process. They can also cast a deciding vote in the event of a tie, which gives them significant influence over the passage of bills and other legislative matters.
While the VP can and does preside over the Senate, in practice, this duty is often delegated to a fellow member of their party who serves as President pro tempore. This is due to the VP's other responsibilities, including their role as a key advisor to the President and their various ceremonial and diplomatic duties. However, there are certain situations where the VP's presence is particularly important, such as during a tied vote or when their influence can help advance the administration's legislative agenda.
Kamala Harris, for example, has been an active participant in Senate proceedings, particularly on issues related to her policy interests and priorities. As a former senator herself, she is well-versed in the legislative process and has been an effective advocate for the Biden-Harris administration's policies. The VP's role in the Senate is an important aspect of their office, and one that can significantly impact their legacy and the direction of the country.
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The VP is indirectly elected at the same time as the president
The current Vice President of the United States is Kamala Harris. Harris is the first Black woman and first woman of South Asian descent to hold the office of Vice President. She is also the first Vice President to hail from an HBCU (Historically Black College or University). Harris is a graduate of Howard University, a prestigious HBCU, and has always made it clear that her public service is "for the people".
Harris has a long history of public service and leadership. She was the first Black district attorney of San Francisco and the first Black woman and South Asian woman to become a United States senator from California. Harris first ran for president in 2019, and although she did not win the Democratic nomination, she made history as the only woman to be part of a winning presidential ticket.
In the 2020 presidential election, Harris was elected as Vice President alongside President Joe Biden. The Vice President is indirectly elected at the same time as the President, through the Electoral College system. The Electoral College is a process where voters cast their ballots for a President and Vice President pair, or ticket, rather than directly electing them separately. This system has been in place since the founding of the nation and is outlined in the Constitution.
The Electoral College process can be complex, but in simple terms, it works as follows: each state is allocated a certain number of electors, or votes, based on the state's population. When voters cast their ballots for President and Vice President, they are actually voting for a slate of electors who have pledged to vote for that ticket. The number of electors allocated to each state is proportional to the state's population, with more populous states having more electors. This means that the popular vote within each state can have a significant impact on the overall election outcome.
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Frequently asked questions
Kamala Harris.
Kamala Harris is the first Black woman and South Asian woman to become the Vice President of the United States. She is also the first US Vice President to hail from an HBCU.
The Biden-Harris administration has implemented policies such as the Inflation Reduction Act, which capped insulin prices at $35 for over 8 million Americans, and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which focuses on improvements in transportation, environmental, and broadband access.
Kamala Harris's alma mater is Howard University.
Kamala Harris emphasized the responsibility of Howard graduates to "keep reaching for that bar and keep serving," acknowledging the high bar set by the university's lineage of leadership.
