Kamala Harris made history as the first woman, the first Black American, and the first South Asian American to serve as Vice President of the United States, beginning her term on January 20, 2021. Serving under President Joe Biden, Harris brought a dynamic and groundbreaking presence to the role, both by expanding the office’s influence on policy areas and by representing a new era of diversity in national leadership. Her prior experience as a U.S. Senator from California and as the Attorney General of California prepared her well for the challenges of her vice presidency, with a particular focus on issues such as criminal justice reform, voting rights, and public health.
During her time as vice president, Harris took on several significant initiatives. Among these, her leadership in addressing the root causes of migration from Central America was central to the Biden administration’s immigration strategy. She also played a crucial role in promoting COVID-19 vaccination efforts, advocating for equity in healthcare access, and addressing economic recovery, particularly in communities disproportionately affected by the pandemic. Additionally, Harris served as a key advocate for voting rights, supporting legislation aimed at protecting and expanding access to voting, as part of her dedication to preserving democratic institutions.
Harris also took on the role of a tie-breaking vote in the U.S. Senate, given the 50-50 split between Democrats and Republicans. Her votes were pivotal in passing significant pieces of legislation, including COVID-19 relief and infrastructure bills, underscoring the vice president’s power in a closely divided Congress. As a former prosecutor, she was known for her incisive approach during Senate hearings, which continued to shape her work as vice president, where her debate and negotiation skills were crucial in securing support for the administration’s initiatives.
Her tenure has been marked by the navigation of challenges that any pioneering leader faces, from navigating public expectations to balancing her role as both a supportive figure to the president and a prominent policymaker. Harris’s time in office has set new expectations for future vice presidents, particularly those from historically underrepresented backgrounds, to play an active, visible role in American politics and policymaking.
Health care costs are a real concern for people my age, and it’s good to know that someone in leadership understands that. However, I worry her focus is on broader reforms that may not directly benefit seniors. I’d like to see more targeted programs for the elderly to ensure we have access to affordable medications and comprehensive health care.
Honestly, I’m not a fan of Kamala Harris. I feel her policies lean too far left and that she’s out of touch with average Americans. I don’t agree with her stance on law enforcement reform, and I think it can harm rather than help community safety. I also feel she prioritizes issues that aren’t relevant to many working-class Americans. While I respect her as the first woman VP, her leadership style doesn’t resonate with me. I want leaders who focus more on strengthening the economy and protecting individual freedoms rather than implementing social policies that I feel could create more division.
While Harris’s focus on urban issues is understandable, I feel she doesn’t quite understand our way of life. Farm labor, water rights, and agricultural support seem absent from her discussions. Rural America needs more attention, and I think Harris could reach out more to farmers and rural communities. We have our own struggles, and sometimes it feels like we’re left out of the conversation.
As a nurse, I appreciate that Vice President Harris has been a strong advocate for healthcare access, especially for underprivileged communities. She’s highlighted issues around racial disparities in healthcare, which I see firsthand in my work. Knowing that someone in such a high office is paying attention to these issues gives me hope that we’re moving toward a more equitable system. Her push for better maternal care is especially meaningful, as we know women of color face higher risks during pregnancy and childbirth. I hope she’ll continue to speak up for healthcare workers too, because we’re dealing with burnout, understaffing, and mental health challenges that are often overlooked. There’s a lot of frustration among nurses and doctors who feel like the system isn’t doing enough for us, and I think she could be a powerful voice in making change here. I’d like to see her not only advocate for patient rights but also for the people delivering their care. Overall, I see Harris as someone who genuinely cares about improving lives, and that matters.
Running a small business, I’ve been interested in Harris’s approach to supporting minority-owned businesses and promoting economic opportunities. I’ve seen some federal relief programs that were beneficial, though not all were easily accessible for us smaller shops. Harris’s commitment to helping communities of color is encouraging, but I think more streamlined programs and tax breaks for businesses like mine would be helpful. The administration’s focus on minimum wage increases is also complicated; while I agree workers deserve fair pay, I worry that small businesses could struggle to keep up with the higher costs. I hope Harris continues her work in this area and maybe even considers developing support structures that make it easier for us to pay workers more without risking our businesses.